We have arrived at Revelation 6. This chapter can be divided into three
parts. Verses 1-8 describe the opening of the first four seals, verses 9-11
describe the opening of the fifth seal, and verses 12-17 describe the opening
of the sixth seal.
The first four seals belong together. Even at first glance, this is clear, for
each of the first four seals mentions a horse with a rider on it. Four seals,
four horses with their riders.
What happens? The Lamb goes to work in heaven immediately after the
worship of Revelation 5. There seems to be no pause after the worship.
There is divine haste. But also, in opening the seals, there is no pause; one
seal after another is broken open. We read in verse 1 that the Lamb breaks
open the first seal. This marks the first step in the execution of God's
counsel through His Son.
At the first seal, something special happens: “And I heard, as it were the
noise of thunder, one of the four beasts.” That thunderclap underscores the
divine speaking through this scroll. After all, this is also how we read in
Revelation 4:5: “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and
thunderings and voices.” The voice that sounds like thunder comes from
one of the four beasts. We encountered these in Revelation 4. They stand
around God's throne; they worship Him day and night, and they represent
creation. Therefore, in their form, they depict the best of noblest of God's
work of creation: a lion, a calf, a man, and a flying eagle.
Significantly, these four animals speak at the breaking of the first four seals.
By turns, they cry out, that is, up to four times, “Come and see!” (verses 1,
3, 5, and 7). They call to John, but thereby also to us and the church of all
times and places, to come and see. We are asked to pay close attention to
what will happen next. We are invited to see the things on Earth from a
heavenly perspective.
We may wonder what is going on, not understand or have many questions.
But here we are invited to come and see what God is doing. Right through it
all, God is at work, and He is accomplishing His plan. What a privilege that
we have God's Word, and that God gives us this knowledge. Things are not
out of control. Everything is according to God's plan and is in the hands of
the Lamb. Where better to be than with that Lamb who gave His life for
sinners?