Revelation 6  It is Jesus who takes the scroll and begins to open the seals.. one by one.  As John watches, the first seal is opened. One of the living creatures calls out, "Come"!  The first one to come is sitting on a white horse. He is given a bow and a crown.  ".. and he went out conquering and to conquer."  This conqueror is thought to be a "false christ"...and he is assigned to this work of judgement on the earth. 

The second seal is broken and the second living creature calls out, "Come!"  The second rider to come rides a red horse...  " and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men should slay one another; and a great sword was given him." 

Jesus breaks the third seal and the third living creature cries out, "Come!"  This time a black horse appears and the one who was seated on it had a pair of scales in his hand.  There is a voice that calls out, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius.. "  A denarius is a days wage.  The amount of wheat would feed one man... but not his family.. and not anything more than just the wheat or the barley. Famine will fill the earth. 

Jesus breaks the 4th seal and the fourth creature calls out, "Come!"  An "ashen horse"  appears with a rider labeled "Death".  He is accompanied by "Hades" who followed "close behind".  Once again they are equipped for the work of judgment.. " and authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth." 

The fifth seal presents a different picture. John sees people.. ."underneath the altar".  These are the "souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they maintained."  While John watches, these martyrs cry out for the Lord to avenge them.. judging those on earth who spilled their blood. They are given white robes and told to rest "for a little while longer".  They will be joined  by more martyrs until the number is completed. 

The sixth seal causes "a great earthquake".  The sun is hidden by blackness and the moon turns red.  Stars fall from the sky and the sky itself splits apart. Mountains and islands are moved.  Everyone.. whether a king or a slave.. tries to hide themselves.  "Fall on us and hide us from the presence 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 is able to stand?" 

With one more seal to go, there is an interlude.  Judgement has begun. The wrath of God will be poured out on that Day.  The Lamb of God will open the scroll and begin this chain of events.  Remember that all heaven and earth rejoiced and praised God that the Lamb was worthy to take the scroll. Worthy to bring judgement on all who have rejected Him.  In the day that we live in now, we know that there are so many who have failed to come to Jesus for the salvation that He purchased on the cross.  It is available to any who will call on His Name.. 

 O Father, open their ears and their eyes.. turn hearts and souls to the Truth of Christ Jesus our Lord who came to bring us to Your Kingdom.  Let there be a great harvest of souls that believe on the Name of Jesus and are saved.  Thank You for patiently waiting. May Your glory be made known to every tribe and tongue and nation.. and may lives be forever changed in Christ Jesus today, we pray. Amen.