Revelation 6  - "And I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals.. "  It is Christ the Lord who takes the scroll and begins what we call the tribulation.  He is worthy to begin this final act of the story of life on earth that began at the dawn of creation.. 

It is interesting that God chooses to use the enemy to accomplish His plans.. everything is under His control! Hallelujah!

At the breaking of the first seal, John sees a white horse "and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer."  

At the breaking of the second seal, John sees a red horse.. and this one "was granted to take peace from the earth." 

The third seal brought a black horse and a rider who "had a pair of scales in his hand."  Famine is released upon the earth. 

The fourth seal is broken and "an ashen horse" is released. "and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. And authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence any wild beasts of the earth." 

Four horsemen will be released to take one fourth of all living beings and kill them. 

The fifth seal is different. This time John is led to see souls underneath the altar of God.. "those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained."  These souls were crying out to God for justice.. for judgement upon the earth.  They were given white robes and told to rest a little longer.  More martyrs would join them soon. 

The sixth seal is broken and an earthquake, so powerful that it causes the sun to become black, the moon to become red, the stars to fall, the sky to be split apart.. and all men and women to run and hide... "for the day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" 

Every detail is revealed to us here.  We know that God is patiently waiting.. for He does not want any to perish but to come to salvation through Jesus Christ.  Yet, that great day is coming. We believe it could be soon. More than ever we need to pray for the Lord to send forth workers into His harvest field.  More than ever we must do the work of being intercessors for the lost. 

Father in heaven, we exalt and worship You, our Gracious Lord and God.. for You are long-suffering and full of mercy and love. Thank You for allowing us to see Your glory and grace.. to know the salvation that Jesus Christ has provided through the shedding of His blood.  We pray for the lost and perishing, that You would open their eyes and hearts to receive the Truth.. the Good News of Jesus.  Give us words to speak and open doors to share the gospel with those around us. Give us boldness and power by Your Spirit to be witnesses in our world today. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.