3) The Seven Seals
The opening of the seals and the history of the church
The seven seals of Revelation 6 reveal the history of the church from apostolic times until the second coming of Christ. Each seal presents distinct characteristics of different periods.
The Worthy Lamb
Who was worthy to open the sealed book?
Why was the Lamb worthy?
The White Horse (First Seal)
What does the white horse of the first seal represent?
The Red Horse (Second Seal)
What does the red horse represent?
The Black Horse (Third Seal)
What do the black horse and the balance represent?
The Pale Horse (Fourth Seal)
What was the name of the rider of the pale horse?
“The four horses represent different phases of the church’s history: apostolic purity (white), persecution (red), doctrinal corruption (black), and spiritual death (pale).” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 54
The Fifth Seal
What did John see under the altar in the fifth seal?
The Sixth Seal
What cosmic events occur in the sixth seal?
What question do the wicked ask in the sixth seal?
The Seventh Seal
What happened in heaven when the seventh seal was opened?
And Now?
The seven seals reveal the history of the church:
- First seal: Pure apostolic church
- Second seal: Era of persecutions
- Third seal: Doctrinal corruption
- Fourth seal: Spiritual death
- Fifth seal: Martyrs crying for justice
- Sixth seal: Signs of the end
- Seventh seal: Solemn silence before the end
My Decision
I recognize that we are living in the time of the end, after the signs of the sixth seal. I desire to be among those who can stand before the Lamb, washed in His blood and clothed in white garments.