Revelation 6:1-8 - "The Unfolding of God's Purpose"

Revelation 6:1-8

"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 beasts saying, Come and see. 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. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast 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. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts 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. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 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 the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."

The book of Revelation is a symbolic book, yet its symbols are truly biblical, drawing us back again and again to the Word. And that is always a good thing. As we compare scripture with scripture, the Spirit teaches us why certain language is used, and we begin to see the unfolding of God’s purpose—His sovereign decree opened only by the Lamb. In Revelation 6 we read, “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals” (v.1). Here is the comfort of God’s people: Christ is opening the seals. Every calamity follows the Sovereign Hand of the Risen Redeemer.

John saw a scroll sealed, a scroll that only one Person had the authority and the right to open. As the seals are undone, we watch the scroll unfold, revealing what is written on the inside and the outside—every line directed by the Lamb Who sits upon the throne. This message comes to a people facing persecution, wondering in their affliction particularly in the first century, Where’s God? Where’s Christ? But the Word brings us back: Christ is still seated on the throne, directing everything that takes place.

The first horse appears—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). Who is this but Christ Himself? He is the Lamb, yet He is also the Captain riding forth, the General of this holy cavalry. The white horse speaks of Righteousness, Justice, and Holiness. And the Rider—He goes forth conquering, not attempting, not struggling, but conquering, and to conquer.

Has He not conquered for His people? He came to do what we could not do: He came to satisfy law and justice. By His death He accomplished what no man ever dreamed possible. When He hung on that tree, men thought Him a criminal, for “cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). Yet that cursed death was the very place where “the wages of sin” (Romans 6:23) fell upon God’s Lamb. God put His Son on that cross and killed Him, that just payment might be made for sinners. In His resurrection, He conquered death because the grave could not hold Him. Once the sin debt of His elect was put away on the cross, and our LORD had fulfilled the three days and three nights in the grave, He arose victorious, proving that not only the sin of His people was completely put away, but God's justice was completely satisfied on their behalf, (Romans 4:25). And now He rides forth in His Gospel, conquering in Grace, by His Spirit, each one whom the Father has given Him and for whom He died.

But from His Sovereign Hand also come the other horses. The second seal reveals a red horse: “power was given to him… to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another” (v.4). This too comes from the Lamb’s Hand. James tells us plainly the second cause of these wars: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts…? Ye kill… ye fight and war” (James 4:1–2). Yet behind the lusts of men stands the Sovereign God Who withdraws His restraining Hand and lets men have their way, while at the same time accomplishing His Holy purpose.

This same Sovereign Christ restrains, directs, overturns, and accomplishes every detail. He is the Lamb in the midst of the throne, yet He is also the Lion of the tribe of Juda: “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda… hath prevailed to open the book” (Revelation 5:5). He prevailed in His life, in His death, in His resurrection, and in His ascension. Every seal opened is opened by Him. Every calamity comes from His Sovereign Hand. And for His people, every storm is governed by the One Who conquered death on their behalf.

So when our world is turned upside down, when the ship seems to be breaking apart, we rest in this: the Lamb is opening the seals. The One riding the white horse, conquering and to conquer, directs every wave. Though the mast may be torn and the boards shaken (Acts 27:41), the LORD will see His vessel safely into the harbor of final glory.