The 7 Seals

The First Four Seals and Their Manifestation in the Modern Era

Dear brothers and sisters,

As we stand as watchmen on the walls, discerning the signs of the times, it is evident that the first four seals of Revelation have been opened, unleashing judgments that are no longer confined to isolated or localized events. Instead, they manifest as global phenomena, marking a profound transition in human history. These seals pave the way for the rise of the final beast, as foretold in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13—a blasphemous world system empowered by the dragon and poised to exert dominion over all nations. Let us, therefore, examine these seals in the light of prophetic fulfillment and their implications for the Church and the world.

Be warned however, if you can not see these signs before you--imagine then how much more blind the world is.

Seal 1: The White Horse—The Emergence of the Western-Led Global Order

“I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.” (Revelation 6:2)

The first seal marks the birth of the Western-led global order, initiated in the aftermath of World War II. The creation of international institutions such as the United Nations, NATO, the Bretton Woods system, and organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund established a framework for global governance. This rider, crowned with authority, "conquers" not through outright warfare but through ideological, economic, and diplomatic dominance.

The spread of democracy, human rights, and free markets under this system mirrors the white horse’s triumphal progress. Yet beneath its veneer lies a paradox: while promoting peace, this order perpetuates inequities and enforces compliance through coercive means such as sanctions, political interference, and economic leverage. The white horse has laid the groundwork for a globalized system that will culminate in the universal governance of the beast described in Revelation 13.

The breaking of the first seal signaled the emergence of a Western-led global order after World War II. This order, defined by diplomacy, institutions, and ideological dominance, culminated in the creation of the United Nations—a body unprecedented in its scope and authority over international affairs. Within this framework, the rider on the white horse established not only ideological and economic conquest but also the foundation for the fulfilment of ancient prophecy: the restoration of the Jewish people to their land.

On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 181, recommending the partition of Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish state. This marked the first time in history that the Jewish people were granted international recognition of their right to a homeland, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy:

“Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” (Isaiah 66:8)

Indeed, in May 1948, the State of Israel was declared, fulfilling the unprecedented promise of a nation being born "in a moment." This act of restoration paralleled Israel’s return from Babylonian exile, which was also divinely orchestrated through a geopolitical decree:

• Cyrus of Persia: Isaiah foretold Cyrus's role in enabling the return of the Jewish people:
  “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid.’” (Isaiah 44:28)
• Daniel’s 70 Weeks: The seventy weeks foretold by Daniel (Daniel 9:24–27) began with Nehemiah's commissioning to rebuild Jerusalem under Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:1-8). This prophecy culminated in the coming of the Messiah, who was “cut off,” and pointed to the eventual desolations decreed upon Jerusalem.

Similarly, the re-establishment of Israel in 1948 aligns with prophecies of restoration:

• Isaiah 11:11-12: “In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people... He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel.”
• Ezekiel 36:24: “For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.”
• Ezekiel 37:21-22: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone... I will make them one nation in the land.”

Through Seal 1, the global order enabled the fulfillment of these prophecies, drawing Jewish people from across the world and anchoring Israel as a nation-state. This restoration was not only a fulfillment of prophecy but also a necessary precursor to what Jeremiah called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7)—the tribulation period that lies ahead.

Daniel’s 70 Weeks: A Prophetic Timeline of Precision and Fulfillment

The seventy weeks foretold by Daniel (Daniel 9:24–27) stand as one of the most remarkable prophecies in Scripture, pointing to the coming of the Messiah, His rejection, and the judgment upon Jerusalem. This timeline began with Nehemiah’s commissioning to rebuild Jerusalem under Artaxerxes, dated to 445 BC (Nehemiah 2:1–8). From this decree, Daniel predicted that sixty-nine weeks, or 483 years (using prophetic years of 360 days each), would elapse before the arrival of “the Anointed One, the ruler.”

Calculating from 445 BC, this prophecy brings us precisely to AD 32–33, the year of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As recorded in the Gospels, Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy:

"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

This event marked the culmination of the 69th week of Daniel’s prophecy. However, Daniel also foretold that the Messiah would be “cut off and have nothing” (Daniel 9:26), referring to His crucifixion. This rejection of the Messiah resulted in the cessation of the prophetic timeline and left Jerusalem desolate, as Jesus Himself declared:

"Look, your house is left to you desolate." (Matthew 23:38)

The consequences of this rejection were fulfilled in AD 70 when the Roman army, under Titus, destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. This event mirrored Daniel’s prediction that “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary” (Daniel 9:26). With the Messiah’s death, the prophetic clock paused, leaving one final week—the 70th week—yet to be fulfilled.

The Re-Emergence of Israel and the Resumption of Daniel’s Timeline

The re-establishment of Israel in 1948 set the stage for the prophetic timeline to resume. Just as Christ’s death halted the countdown of Daniel’s weeks, the rapture of the Church will re-initiate it. Following the rapture, the world will enter Daniel’s 70th week—the final seven years of this age, often referred to as the Tribulation.

During this period, Israel will once again take center stage in God’s redemptive plan. The temple in Jerusalem, which has not yet been rebuilt, will stand as a focal point of this week’s events. The Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel for one “week” (seven years) and will later break it, desecrating the temple by placing the abomination that causes desolation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15).

This alignment of prophecy underscores the precision of God’s Word and the unfolding of His plan. As the first 69 weeks were fulfilled in Christ’s first coming, so the 70th week will unfold in preparation for His return in glory. The re-emergence of Israel signals that the prophetic clock is ready to resume, drawing the world closer to the culmination of God’s redemptive purposes. Let us remain vigilant, for the time is near.

Seal 2: The Red Horse—The Age of Conflict and Global Insecurity

“Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.” (Revelation 6:4)

The red horse burst onto the scene with the advent of a new era of conflict and violence, beginning with the Global War on Terror in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. This seal represents the removal of peace from the earth as nations turned inward, alliances fractured, and ideologies polarized societies.

The wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond have left millions dead and destabilized entire regions. This horse not only wields the sword of physical warfare but also foments division, distrust, and civil unrest. The rise of nationalism, the proliferation of terrorism, and the deepening polarization of societies exemplify this seal’s devastating impact. Its legacy is a world teetering on the brink of chaos, awaiting the unifying yet tyrannical hand of the beast.

Seal 3: The Black Horse—Economic Disparity and Scarcity

“I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand… and I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!’” (Revelation 6:5-6)

The third seal unveils a world marked by stark economic inequities. While the wealthiest enjoy unimaginable luxury, billions toil in poverty, struggling to meet their basic needs. The scales in the rider’s hand signify economic imbalance and exploitation, where the cost of survival consumes a laborer’s wages, leaving little for anything else.

The modern economy, dominated by transnational corporations and debt-driven systems, exacerbates these disparities. The command not to damage the "oil and wine" suggests that while the wealthy remain untouched by scarcity, the masses bear the brunt of economic instability. Inflation, rising living costs, and systemic poverty reveal the presence of this horse in our midst.

Seal 4: The Pale Horse—Death and the Shadow of Hades

“I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8)

The pale horse rides across a world ravaged by disease, war, famine, and ecological collapse. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a harbinger of this seal’s power, revealing how swiftly disease can paralyze nations and economies. Yet, the fullness of this seal’s manifestation lies ahead, with Death and Hades poised to claim a quarter of the earth’s population.

Modern technologies of destruction—nuclear, biological, and chemical—make such a toll not only possible but likely. Coupled with the ongoing degradation of natural resources, the specter of famine, and the resurgence of zoonotic diseases, the pale horse’s reign signals the intensifying birth pangs of a world under judgment.

The Universal Nature of the Seals and the Rise of the Beast

Unlike the judgments of past ages, these seals bring forth phenomena that are global in scope, touching every nation and every individual. The interconnectedness of our world—through technology, economy, and governance—has normalized the idea of universal control. This paves the way for the fourth beast of Daniel 7 and Revelation 13, a blasphemous entity empowered by the dragon to enforce global submission and worship.

This beast will unite the fragmented world under a false peace, coercing nations into a system of allegiance that mocks God’s sovereignty. It will appear as a savior in the chaos but will lead the world into rebellion against the Creator.

The Fifth and Sixth Seals, the Rapture, and the Day of the Lord

The breaking of the fifth and sixth seals reveals a dramatic shift in the unfolding of God’s prophetic timeline. These seals introduce events of profound spiritual and cosmic significance, culminating in the rapture of the Church and the commencement of the Day of the Lord—a time of divine judgment upon the earth. This comprehensive overview integrates Isaiah 26, John 14:3, and the message to the church in Philadelphia, providing clarity on the rapture and its aftermath.

Seal 5: The Cry of the Martyred Saints (Revelation 6:9–11)

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” (Revelation 6:9)

The fifth seal unveils the souls of martyred saints crying out to God for justice. These martyrs, described as being “under the altar,” symbolize the sacrificial nature of their deaths. Their plea, “How long, Sovereign Lord?” reflects their longing for the culmination of God’s plan and the vindication of His holiness.

This seal highlights the increasing persecution of believers leading up to the rapture. It also underscores the justice of God, as the martyrs are told to wait until their number is complete—indicating that the Church's time on earth is drawing to a close.

Seal 6: Cosmic Disturbances and the Rapture (Revelation 6:12–17)

“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth...” (Revelation 6:12–13)

The sixth seal reveals a series of unprecedented cosmic disturbances. These events, described in vivid and apocalyptic imagery, serve as the immediate precursor to the rapture and the Day of the Lord:

1. Cosmic Signs as the Trigger for the Rapture:
   • Isaiah 26:20-21: “Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth.”
   • This passage vividly portrays the rapture as God’s people are hidden from the wrath to come. The cosmic signs signal the imminent arrival of the Day of the Lord, during which believers are removed to safety.
   • John 14:3: “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
   • Jesus’ promise to the Church aligns with the sixth seal, as He returns—not in His glorious second coming—but to gather His people to Himself in the rapture.
   • Revelation 3:10 (Epistle to Philadelphia): “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
   • The Church in Philadelphia represents the faithful believers who are promised deliverance from the tribulation. The rapture, occurring after the sixth seal, fulfills this promise.
2. The Raptured Church in Revelation 7:
   • After the cosmic disturbances of the sixth seal, Revelation 7 presents a “great multitude” before God’s throne, clothed in white robes, and exclaiming: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10).
   • This multitude is the raptured Church—alive and glorified, not the souls of the dead. In Revelation, the dead in heaven are consistently described as such (e.g., Revelation 6:9, Revelation 20:4). By contrast, this group is explicitly portrayed as living, worshiping, and celebrating their deliverance.
   • Their presence confirms the fulfillment of God’s promise to gather His people before unleashing His final judgments.

The Day of the Lord Begins

Following the rapture, the world witnesses the immediate consequences of the sixth seal. The cosmic signs and the sudden disappearance of the Church confirm to the remaining inhabitants of the earth that the Day of the Lord has begun:

1. Universal Recognition of God’s Wrath:
   • Revelation 6:15–17 describes the response of humanity: “They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?’”
   • The fear and panic reflect humanity’s realization that God’s judgment has arrived. The cosmic disturbances and the absence of believers leave no room for denial.
2. The Separation of the Righteous and the Wicked:
   • Isaiah 26:21 emphasizes that the Lord is coming to “punish the people of the earth.” The rapture, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52, removes the righteous, leaving behind those who have rejected God’s offer of salvation.
3. Preparation for the Tribulation:
   • The Day of the Lord begins with the opening of the seventh seal, introducing the trumpet and bowl judgments. These events unfold during Daniel’s 70th week, as described in Daniel 9:27, leading to the final confrontation between Christ and the Antichrist.

The Raptured Church as a Sign to the World

The cosmic signs accompanying the sixth seal are God’s definitive announcement to the world that the rapture has taken place and the Day of the Lord has begun. The sudden absence of the Church, combined with the catastrophic disturbances, serves as an undeniable witness of God’s sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. For the faithful, the rapture is the culmination of their hope; for the world, it is the beginning of divine judgment.

As the raptured Church stands before the throne of God in Revelation 7, exclaiming the salvation of the Lord, their presence signals the fulfillment of promises made in Isaiah 26, John 14:3, and Revelation 3:10. They are alive, glorified, and united in worship, awaiting the consummation of God’s redemptive plan.

The Seventh Seal

The breaking of the seventh seal marks a climactic moment in the heavenly and earthly realms, signaling the commencement of God's final and intensified judgments. In Revelation 8:1, the opening of the seventh seal brings a profound silence in heaven for about half an hour, a dramatic pause that emphasizes the gravity of what is to come. This moment of solemn anticipation underscores the divine nature of the judgments that will follow, as heaven itself awaits the unfolding of God’s perfect plan. The Church, raptured and now glorified, is present in heaven, witnessing this pivotal act. Their presence signifies not only their deliverance from the coming wrath but also their role as participants in the heavenly liturgy, joining the angelic hosts in worship and bearing testimony to the righteousness and justice of God.

The trumpet judgments, which begin immediately after the seventh seal is opened, represent the transition from the preliminary judgments of the seals to the more focused and devastating judgments that characterize the Day of the Lord. These trumpets serve as divine proclamations, announcing successive waves of judgment upon the earth. Each trumpet carries a distinct and escalating impact, targeting specific aspects of creation and human life, yet allowing space for repentance. The precision of these judgments highlights God’s sovereignty and the fulfillment of His prophetic word, while their intensity underscores the urgency of turning to Him before it is too late.

The importance of the trumpet judgments lies in their dual purpose: they serve as both judgment and warning. These events are designed to bring humanity face-to-face with the reality of their rebellion against God, stripping away false securities and idols. Yet, even amidst the devastation, the trumpets echo the mercy of God, as they are not the final judgments but precursors to the bowl judgments that will ultimately complete His wrath. The trumpets also act as harbingers of significant eschatological milestones, including the rise of the Antichrist and the final confrontation between good and evil.

As the Church witnesses the breaking of the seventh seal and the initiation of the trumpet judgments, they are reminded of the faithfulness of the Lamb who redeemed them and the certainty of His ultimate victory. Their vantage point in heaven emphasizes their role as overcomers, spared from wrath and assured of their place in the eternal kingdom. This heavenly perspective serves to magnify the contrast between the glory of redemption and the severity of judgment, reinforcing the themes of God’s justice, mercy, and sovereignty as His plan unfolds.

A Call to Readiness

The fifth and sixth seals reveal the urgency of preparation and faithfulness. For those who trust in Christ, the rapture is the blessed hope, a deliverance from the coming wrath. For the world, the cosmic signs and the disappearance of the Church are a final warning of the judgments to come.

Beloved, let us be vigilant, standing firm in faith and proclaiming the gospel, for the time is near. The Lamb who opens the seals is faithful and true, and His salvation is sure. Amen.

A Call to Watch and Prepare

Beloved, these seals reveal the nearness of the Day of the Lord. They are a trumpet call to vigilance, repentance, and steadfast faith. As the seals unfold and the beast rises, let us anchor our hope in the Lamb who alone is worthy to open the scroll. For though these judgments are severe, they are but the prelude to the establishment of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

Stand firm, watch the signs, and proclaim the gospel boldly, for the time is at hand. Let us fix our eyes on the One who will come in glory, bringing justice, restoration, and the fulfilment of all things. Amen.