Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation

I'm posting a link to the download of my booklet, "Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation." It is a 59-page booklet in PDF form which you may download at this link here, or, if you prefer, from my website here, scroll to the bottom of the page on my website for a download link.

Here is the Introduction:

If you are not familiar with the Book of Revelation in the Bible, what I’ve written will probably sound a little strange. I would suggest you read the Book of Revelation, at least once, prior to reading this booklet.

There are many and varied opinions on the Book of Revelation, which is the story of the Apostle John’s revelation or prophecy he received while exiled on the Greek Isle of Patmos around 90-95 A.D. I’m not claiming to understand this prophecy 100%, yet I believe I have enough insight to give a basic understanding of what’s to come.

Rather than bickering over what we don’t (or can’t) know at this point, (for example the exact time of Jesus’ return to earth), if we instead focus on what is clear and what applies to us today, we will be blessed by John’s prophecy. After all, John began the book by saying, “Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3).

This booklet, for the most part, is about chapters five through nineteen. These chapters cover the opening of the seals, the sounding of the trumpets, and the pouring out of the bowls on the earth at the end of this age. I didn’t include chapters one through four, not because I don’t think they’re important, but because they are, and deserve more attention than what I can give them here. Neither have I included chapters twenty through twenty-two for the same reason.

I’ve tried to avoid sounding either defensive or over-confident about my interpretation of the events John described. This is simply what I interpret the Holy Spirit showing me; please ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you as you read.

Rose Murdock

Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation

Hastening the Coming of Jesus

Note: The entirety of this message is found in my booklet, "Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation."

Jesus is coming again. He is returning to earth one day. He spoke of it to His disciples when He was here the first time (See Matthew 24, Luke 17, Luke 21). When He ascended into heaven, as the disciples watched Him rise and disappear into the sky, angels spoke to them and told them that He would return the same way.

Acts 1:9-11

9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Of course, some people don’t believe this. But as Christians, we do. However, we must keep the overall plan and purpose of God foremost in our minds. We don’t want to grow weary, become skeptical, or allow doubts and distractions to take us away from doing our part in His plan for mankind.

2 Peter 3:3-5

3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

Peter discusses the mockings of mockers in the end times who say that everything is continuing as it was since the beginning of creation. Nothing’s changed. Where’s the Lord? Peter says it “escapes their notice,” or they forgot, about Noah and the entire population of the world being destroyed by a flood due to the rampant sin at the time. This had occurred about 2500 years before this was written (It’s been about 4500 years now).

He goes on. . .

7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

He says not to let it escape your notice, even if it has escaped other people’s notice, that the Lord does not forget His promises. He’s not slow, He’s patient. It’s His mercy that makes it seem like a long time coming. He’s waiting for more people to come to repentance before He sends His Son Jesus back to earth to finish up what was started. For those who do not, there will come a terrifying day called the Day of the Lord.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

The day of the Lord is going to happen, suddenly. But instead of like Noah's flood, it will be with fire and intense heat.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

This is a somber thought, one that leads us into the fear of the Lord. We must not live like the mockers, thinking it’ll never happen in our lifetime, or if it does, that it’s not going to be that big of deal. We must conduct ourselves in holiness and godliness while waiting for Him to return.

Then Peter says something interesting,

12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. Even though this earth will eventually burn up, we are to still look for and hasten, or speed up, His coming. He has promised us a new heaven and a new earth—one which contains righteousness.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;

Peter is encouraging them not to listen to the reasonings of the mockers who think that all is well and it just doesn’t look like the Lord is going to come back, but to be diligent to keep ourselves spotless and blameless--ready for His coming at any moment.

Let’s look at verse 12 in the Amplified Classic regarding the hastening of His coming:

2 Peter 3:12 AMPC:

12 While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God. 

We are waiting and earnestly longing for the coming of the day of God. It seems that our longing, and our expectancy of this day, actually hastens its coming. Even if we don’t know exactly when it will be.

Look at what Jesus said:

Matthew 24:36-39:

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

They didn’t understand until the flood came what was going to happen. Then it was too late. The door to the ark was already shut (Genesis 7:1-16).

Matthew 24:42, 44

42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Nobody knows the day or hour when Jesus will return to the earth to receive His own to Himself. It will happen when we don’t think it will. So we must always be ready. Yet, we can recognize when it is getting close, even when it is right at the door.

Matthew 24:33

33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

The time for the Lord's return is getting close. For those who believe in Him, it is our hope. The promise of His kingdom rule over the earth should thrill our hearts as righteousness and justice will be found in it. For those who don't believe, there is a judgment coming. Yet we are now in a time of grace to make our choice, and get ready. It's not too late, yet.

We are living in the "Time of the Gentiles,” as well as the Church Age, which ends with the coming of the Lord. We gain some understanding about this time leading up to His Second Coming in the book of Revelation.

The Four Horsemen of the First Four Seals

The Church age is, of course, the era of the Church, which began after Jesus’ ascension and continues until the time of His return. During this time the gospel is being preached, while at the same time satan tries to stop it or undo its effects. This has been going on for 2000 years. The book of Revelation portrays it as four horsemen circling the earth with each passing cycle bringing Jesus’ coming closer. (See Revelation 6:1-8).

Then, in Revelation 6, at the 5th seal, we see the martyrs under the altar in heaven crying out for Him to avenge their blood, asking, “How long?”

Then in Revelation 8, after the 7th seal, after the ½ hour of silence, the prayers of the saints, incense, and fire from the altar are thrown to earth, and the sounding of the trumpets begin.

What do we learn from this?

I believe our longing for Jesus to come and set up His righteous rule, actually quickens His coming. As Peter said, “Wait and earnestly long for” it. Expect and hasten it. There is a trigger—the trumpet trigger of Revelation when the countdown to His return begins.

I believe these prayers of the martyrs and all the saints that we see at the 5th and 7th seal, this longing for His righteous rule, is when the countdown clock is started, and is indicated in Revelation by the sounding of the trumpets.

Forty years ago, there were those who didn’t want Jesus to come back yet. They wanted to live their lives, see their children grow up etc. They weren’t very passionate about seeing Jesus’ return. On the other hand, there were those who thought He was coming any second and they were irresponsible, went into debt, didn’t plan for the future etc. These ones weren’t aware of the fact that the Church has a part to play in His return. Yet before Jesus returns, we see martyrs and all the saints praying, and a violent, heavenly response to these prayers.

Jesus used the analogy of a birth when speaking about the end times (Matthew 28:8). When a woman is pregnant, birth is inevitable. As it gets close, there may be false labor pains, early labor pains, but there finally comes a point of no return. The water breaks, and the birth begins.

I believe the sounding of the trumpets begin the final countdown to His return. Once the trumpets start, there’s no turning back. The clock starts ticking.

But what exactly triggers the trumpets?

The final thing seems to be the prayers. We read it right there at the 5th seal—the cries of the martyrs and after the 7th seal from the prayers of the saints. The prayers of the saints set off the trumpets and begin the countdown clock.

But there are other things involved. There are (at least) four things that trigger the trumpet-sounding countdown.

The Preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom in the Whole World

Jesus said the end would come after the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom to all the world (Matthew 24:14). We see the preaching of the Gospel represented by the white horse of the 1st seal. It must continue until the end so when He comes, He will find faith in the earth (Luke 18:8)


The Church becoming His Ekklesia

When we, the Church, learn to govern under His authority, as His ekklesia, we enforce Satan's defeat and ultimately, he is thrown out of heaven. When the disciples began to understand and operate in their authority in Christ, Jesus said He saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven (Luke 10:18). Once he is displaced from heaven, his time is very short.

In Revelation 8:1-12 during the first four trumpet blasts, we see things falling, or being thrown down, from the sky—hail & fire, a great burning mountain, a great star, and then the sun, moon, and stars darkened. Once Satan is cast down, he has great wrath, knowing he has a short time (Revelation 12:7-9). This happens when the Church knows their authority over him and begins to use it.

The Church becoming His pure Bride

We become the Lord’s pure Bride when we make ourselves ready to meet Jesus, and passionately desire Him. No longer do we want Him to delay His coming so we can “live our lives.” We want to be with Him! We seek purity because of our longing for our Groom. This too hastens His coming. (Revelation 19:7-9, Ephesians 5:26-27, Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 John 3:2-3, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Colossians 1:22, James 4:5).


The Cries of the Martyrs and Prayers of the Saints

This is the passionate prayer for the Lord’s judgment and His righteous rule to come. We desperately want His righteous rule over the earth. We are not cowering in a corner; we are doing what He's called us to do. Yet we are grieved over the lost souls and the level of wickedness in the earth and corruption in the governments. We know that only His rule will make things right. Again, we see this represented in the 5th and 7th seals. (Revelation 6:10, 8:3).

In the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, Jesus said three times that He was coming quickly (verses 7, 12, and 20). In the same chapter, John wrote that “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ (verse 17). And then, “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.’” (Verse 20).

Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come!” Or really to declare, “Kingdom of God—come forth!” (Matthew 6:10).

How long does the clock run?
To understand the closing of this age, it’s also helpful to understand Daniel’s vision of the seventy weeks. While Daniel was “speaking and praying, and confessing” his sin and the sin of his people, Israel, the angel Gabriel came and gave him “insight with understanding.” (Daniel 9:20-23).

The short version in explaining this is that seventy weeks (each week representing one year) were decreed for Israel and the holy city to “finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.” (Daniel 9:24). Sixty-nine of the seventy weeks have been fulfilled. There is one week (seven years) left.

Why does this matter? Because this final seven-year period is what will usher in Jesus’ Second Coming and reign on earth. This is how we know there are seven years of this prophecy yet to be fulfilled. Right now, we are living in this gap period between the 69th and 70th weeks, the Church Age, that will bring us to the end when Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom on the earth. This gap period is where God’s dealings with the nation of Israel as a whole is put on hold while the nations of the earth come to Him (Romans 11:11, Genesis 17:4-6, Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:16).

At least four times in the book of Revelation there are periods of 3 ½ years mentioned.

Revelation 11:2: John was told to measure the temple, but not to measure the court outside the temple for it had been given to the nations who would tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months (3 ½ years).

Revelation 11:3: The two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days (just under 3 ½ years).

Revelation 12:6 The woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness where she would be nourished for 1260 days (just short of 3 ½ years). And again Revelation12:14 says the woman was nourished for a time, times, and half a time (one year, plus two years, plus a half a year= 3 ½ years).

Revelation 13:5: The beast was given authority to act for 42 months (3 ½ years).

We might ask, are these 3 ½ year periods taking place at the same time? Or are they staggered? It appears that these periods will fit together somehow to make up the seven years needed to finish Daniel’s last “week.” We also read of a period of around 3 ½ years in the book of Daniel:

Daniel 12:11-2: Daniel was told that from the time the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there would be 1290 days. He added that the one who keeps waiting until the 1335 days is blessed.

Though we many not be able to put all the time periods in the order they will unfold, it’s more important to focus on being close to Jesus and follow His Spirit in taking our place and part. Part of it depends on us. We’re waiting for Him to come and He’s waiting for us to get going!

 
Rapture at the Last Trump

Paul talked about God’s people who are alive and remaining at the last trumpet arising to receive their glorified bodies. This is what we call the rapture.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

When is the Rapture? We don't know the exact time, but we know Jesus is preparing a place for us now (John 14:3). He said He will come like a thief in the night (Revelation 16:15), but we can know the season, even though we don't know the day and the hour (Matthew 24:32-33). We do know that we are not destined for His wrath (Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9), which is shown in the book of Revelation as bowls being poured out (Revelation 16:1).

I think it's dangerous to assume the Church will be raptured before the mark of the beast is instituted. The mark may begin to be instituted before the rapture. (I would dare say it has already begun), but even if there is a rapture prior to the mark of the beast, we don’t want to cross a line now that we won’t be able to uncross later. To somehow become lulled into thinking it is okay, and not realize we've missed the ark and taken the mark. Remember, the door to the ark was shut seven days before the rain began—long before the floods which actually killed them started.

In the meantime, we, the Church, have a part to play in His return. We can hasten His coming. We must be about His business, preaching the gospel to the nations. We must fall deeply in love with Him and purify our heart. We must know our authority in Him and enforce His kingdom rule; and we must pray and long for Him to come and make things right, but we must also long for His coming, and expectantly wait for it.

Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.


More details are available in my booklet, "Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation."
Revised October 2025

The Opening of the Seals

 

1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:1-5

Opening the seven seals to the book was something that only the Lion from the tribe of Judah, The Root of David, or in other words, the Lord Jesus Himself, could do. No one else in heaven or on earth was found worthy to open the book or even look into it.

When John saw Him, He saw Him as the Lamb that had been slain.

6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5:6-7 When Jesus took the book from His Father on the throne, everyone broke out in praise—the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, the myriads of angels, and every created thing in heaven, as well as everything in, on, and under the earth, gave praise to both Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb, (Revelation 5: 8-14).

Then John saw the Lamb open the seals.

There are various viewpoints as to what the seven seals are, what they mean, and who the four horsemen are. The opening of the seven seals, I believe, reveals what unfolds during the Church Age; as well as giving us a glimpse into how this intensifies in the end. In John's revelation, the book and the Lamb appeared at about the same time, which would seem to confirm this thought that the book reveals the Church era which began after His ascension into heaven, and specifically on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on His people who were waiting for the promise of the Father as Jesus had instructed (Acts 1-2). For more detail I have a booklet coming out soon called Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation. You can read the introduction and find a link to it here.

Why is He the only one who can open the book? Because He, and only He, overcame (Revelation 5:5). I believe the book reveals the work which follows Jesus’ work on earth. It reveals what happens on earth after the Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit; as well as the tribulation that accompanies that throughout the Church Age (John 14:12, Acts 14:22). Only He could release this work to begin.

Jesus conquered the kingdom of darkness during His first coming (John 12:31, John 16:11, Colossians 2:10,15). The proclamation of what He did began to be preached at that time and has continued since then. Not only is it being preached, but it’s being worked out in His people. Through trying times, we are maturing both individually and corporately as His Church—His ekklesia, which is His governing body on the earth—as well as becoming His purified, glorious Bride; ready and longing to meet Him when He comes for us.

There is much opposition and attempts by the enemy to prevent this, to weaken us, deceive us, or keep us in bondage in any way possible. He does not want the message of the gospel to go out. He doesn’t want people to be saved, and he definitely doesn’t want families and nations serving God. However, the Church’s maturing in Christ, purification, and surrender to Jesus’ complete lordship, continues to enforce the enemy’s defeat, as well as work out the Lord’s complete salvation in us (Ephesians 3:8-10).

Let’s look at the opening of the seals to see how we might gain more insight regarding this.

THE FIRST SEAL: The White Horse

1 Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” 2 I looked, and behold, 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. Revelation 6:1-2

The rider on the white horse represents the preaching of the gospel that began with the early Church after Jesus’ resurrection. This rider was given authority, as Jesus had, to conquer the kingdom of darkness and establish His kingdom in the earth. In that light, the rider of the white horse represents the proclamation of the Word of God—His Church preaching the gospel throughout the world and throughout the Church age, which continues to conquer darkness and expand the Lord's kingdom, bringing many people into His kingdom of light.

Jesus preached and demonstrated the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23) and we are to do the same (John 20:21). After Jesus had sent out His disciples to preach and demonstrate the gospel of the kingdom, He told them when they returned that He was watching Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Luke 10:17-19). When Jesus’ Church—the ekklesia—takes their place as He has called them to, proclaiming His Word, it brings the fall of Satan from heavenly places (Revelation 13:9).

As this white horse has continued to circle the globe throughout the Church age, bringing the gospel of the kingdom to the nations, both geographically and generationally, we continue to conquer darkness and expand the Lord's kingdom, bringing many people into His kingdom of light. This preaching, and what follows with it, intensifies as time goes on. Remember when Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end would come (Matthew 24:14). The enemy of the Lord and His Church knows this, and constantly looks to accuse, tempt, or even recruit people—believers or not—for his purposes, to delay his inevitable demise. This truly is a time of testing for God’s people to remain true and faithful to Him, but also a time of maturing and sanctification while we are being conformed to His image, sharing in His holiness (James 1, 1 Peter 1, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

THE SECOND SEAL: The Red Horse

3 When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” 4 And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. Revelation 6:3-4

The rider of the red horse was given a great sword and was granted power to take peace from the earth, and that men would kill each other. Jesus said He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34). A sword divides, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), pierces and divides. The Living Word pierces as far as dividing the soul from the spirit, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Division comes as light clashes against darkness, good against evil. Division also comes as believers separate from the world, which is especially trying if it involves family or friends, or if it means going against the trends and cultures of the day. The Word of Truth separates in that it exposes the lies in people’s hearts or in the public thoughts of the day. We have seen violence arise as a result of the Word of truth exposing darkness and deception in people’s hearts, whether in believers or unbelievers. These fiery red trials that arise in our lives and throughout the Church age, purify us (1 Peter 4:12-14, 1 Peter 1:6-7).

The Church is not to use the sword for petty disagreements among the brethren, we are not fighting flesh and blood, but we are to conquer the lies of the accuser, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We do this first in our own lives, but we also speak to the culture of the day.

Though the red horse rider takes peace from the earth, the gospel is the gospel of peace. It’s a message of peace between God and man through Jesus Christ. It’s also a message of unity between the brethren (Ephesians 2:13-17). Yet this is unity without compromise. This may cause division as we separate ourselves from evil and evildoers (2 Corinthians 6:17).

As people embrace the truth, rather than pleasure, they are free from the deception that ultimately leads to the corruption of the heart and accusing the brethren, among other things (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Yet without Christ, people have no peace and are more prone to side with the accuser, not only accusing the brethren, but anyone who opposes their beliefs.

THE THIRD SEAL: The Black Horse

5 When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” Revelation 6:5-6

The rider of the black horse had a pair of scales in his hand. Scales are for judgment and measurement. Part of the handwriting on the wall for King Belshazzar, the Chaldean king in Daniel’s day, was TEKEL, meaning, “You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.” (Daniel 5:27).

Something is deficient on a scale when it doesn’t meet the standard—the weight, or the price. Who are we “measured” against? Who is our standard? Jesus Himself. We are in the process of being conformed to His image (Romans 8:29) and to meet that standard we must count the cost and give all as He did. That’s the price—all (Luke 14:25-33).

The voice among the four living creatures said, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius.” A denarius was a day’s wages. It will cost you everything to follow Jesus. It will cost your daily bread. Your life. He said to be His disciple you must take up your cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Those who give their all daily and die to self, have His life in return—eternal life. He is the manna—the bread from heaven, who gave His life for all (John 6:32-40).

When we give up our bread, we hunger. If we hunger for the things of the world, we will be found deficient. And not only that, but when we feed off the things of the world it doesn’t even satisfy, it simply produces more hunger, greed, desperation and so on. It's an appetite that's never satisfied. But when we pay the price of our daily bread—our daily sustenance—our life itself, by imposing on ourselves an intentional fast to hunger for the things of God, for righteousness, for the Holy Spirit oil and wine, we will be filled. Fasting for His presence—longing for our bridegroom (Mark 2:18-20)—will bring exactly what we are crying out for.

During trying times of earthly inflation, famine, or poverty, we must remember the satisfaction that comes from the Spirit and presence of God. Rather than giving in to the panic and fear that presents itself in times of trouble—we hunger and thirst for Him instead.

The voice among the four living creatures said not to damage the oil and the wine. The Holy Spirit is available for all His children. He will always be available to those who seek Him. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).

THE FOURTH SEAL: The Pale Horse

7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” 8 I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. 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. Revelation 6:7-8

The rider of the ashen, or pale, horse is the first one we see with a name. The rider’s name was Death, and Hades (the place of departed spirits) was following with him.

They were given authority over a fourth of the earth. Their authority is to kill with sword, famine, pestilence, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Wild beasts in the sense of hunting prey. 

Jesus was with the wild beasts in the wilderness during His time of temptation. Yet, angels were ministering to Him (Mark 1:13). Those who overcome the times of testing, following Jesus’ example—not compromising truth, not joining with the accuser of the brethren, not trying to save their own life but giving all to Him, not being found deficient, but hungering for the things of the Spirit rather than the things of the world—they, even when they die physically, will gain life. Death is the last enemy to be defeated, and it will not gain victory over the people of God (1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Revelation 21:4).

Jesus said in Luke 17:33, “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” He also said the same in Matthew 10:39, Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, Luke 17:33, and John 12:25. Obviously, it’s something He wants us to understand! We are to present ourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1), and not be conformed to this world, but transformed into His image by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2, 8:29).

In times of intense persecution, even to the point of death, including intentional depopulation or genocide, we look to Jesus who overcame His own times of testing. He did not spare His own life; He gave it up to save us. Yet angels ministered to Him, and we too can look for ministering spirits from heaven to help us during difficult times (Hebrews 1:13-14, Hebrews 13:2).

Jesus spoke of deception, wars, earthquakes, famines, and betrayal before His return. and then He said, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:4-14.

The enemy, the spirit of antichrist, will try anything to stop the preaching of the gospel, or undo its results—including the killing of believers and unbelievers alike. He’ll try to kill believers to stop them from preaching the gospel; he’ll kill unbelievers to keep them out of the kingdom of heaven. In the end, Hades is thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). We must remember our purpose in bringing the gospel of the kingdom—in both word and demonstration—to the whole world as a testimony to all nations.

God's timing is circular, not linear, and as the circling of the horsemen around the earth continue throughout the ages, the events on earth will intensify as the end draws near. Jesus used the example of birth pangs just beginning when speaking to His disciples about His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:8). The closer it gets, the more intense this all becomes.

THE FIFTH SEAL: Martyrs

The first four seals reveal what John saw going on in the earth. Next, we see a heavenly perspective.

9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. Revelation 6:9-11

 
In the opening of the fifth seal, we see martyrs. These are believers in Christ who were slain because of the Word of God, and the testimony that they held. They gave up their life for the sake of the gospel. They are seen under the altar in heaven.

Christian martyrdom is not a sign of the end-times. It’s a sign of the last days, for the last days began as soon as the early Church was established (1 John 2:18), but martyrdom has been going on throughout the Church Age. Christians have been martyred since the very first apostles. Note that they are crying out, asking how long until He avenges their blood. They didn’t know how much longer until His judgment would come. They were comforted, given a white robe, and told to rest until the number of their fellow servants and brethren who were also to be killed would be completed.

It's interesting to note that in the Old Testament, there was a grate under the altar which caught the ashes of the burnt offerings. These ashes were used with water to purify the unclean (Numbers 19:9-19; Exodus 27:1-5; Exodus 38:4). Just as no part of the burnt offering was wasted under the old covenant, neither are the lives of the martyrs wasted today. God sees and cares about every soul.

 
At the time these martyrs cry out, more ashes are needed, more cleansing needs to occur. Not because Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t enough, but the cleansing period of the Church must be completed. We learn to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. (Luke 9:23). As we cooperate with the work God is doing in us, as we see represented by the horsemen seals, we become a living sacrifice unto Him, even if we’re not a physical martyr.

The prayers of the martyrs, and the saints, seem to cumulate, and when they are mixed with incense and fire of the altar, then we see things begin to happen on the earth, as we will see with the seventh seal.

THE SIXTH SEAL: Signs on Earth and in the Heavens

12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelation 6:12-17

 
When the sixth seal is opened, there is such an effect in the heavens and on the earth, that people realize the wrath of God and the Lamb is upon them. This wrath is a fiery, even passionate, response of God and the Lamb which has been building, and finally is released to oppose evil and all of the injustice and wickedness done in the earth. 

These beginning of signs, and glimpses of what is to come, when people know they will suffer His wrath (the consequence of opposing Him) are an opportunity for them to repent. However, many will try and hide from God. The natural response to an awareness of one's own fallen condition, guilt, and sin, which becomes obvious when confronted with God's holy presence, is to hide--like Adam and Eve did (Genesis 3:8).

However, a better response is to expose yourself to Him—to admit to and repent of your sin. This is the response of those who hear and accept the gospel, but for those who reject it, the presence of the Lord will be terrifying. The only hope at this point would be to throw yourself on the mercy of God like David did (2 Samuel 24:10-14). It's a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of a living God (Hebrews 10:31), but we each must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Signs in the heavens to this extent obviously have not happened yet. Of course, there have been earthquakes and some “signs” in the heavens, but none to the point where everyone on earth hides from the presence of God knowing His wrath has come and there is no escape. Yet, as these events begin to trickle in, they will increase in both frequency and severity, like the birth pangs that Jesus described (Matthew 24:8).

It's comforting to know that this will not go on endlessly. There is an appointed time for it to end.

The 144,000

After the sixth seal is opened, and the earthquake and signs in the heavens appear, there seems to be a pause in the telling of events, which describes the sealing of 144,000 Jewish people, preserving them from what is to come (Revelation 7:1-8). We might see them as a seed for the Millennium (Isaiah 6:13).

The Multitude Before the Throne
During the second part of the pause after the sixth seal, John saw a multitude of saints before the throne. (Revelation 7:9-17). An elder told him these are those who have come out of “the great tribulation” and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, making them white (Revelation 7:14).

Who are these saints? Are they the ones who die during what we call “the great tribulation” when we are referring to the judgement and wrath of God poured out at the end of this age? Considering that John hadn’t written about the worst of the judgement-wrath yet when he saw this multitude, why would they be described as those who had gone through “the great tribulation?”

Could they be raptured saints who have just come before God from earth, including deceased saints from all ages who have gathered together to prepare for the final events? If so, then how have they come out of the “great tribulation” if the great tribulation is the period of great wrath which brings about the judgment of God, which John had barely discussed yet?

Being that these saints are described as “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues,” (Revelation 7:9), there are those who believe these are all of God’s elect, from all times, gathered together.

I think we’ve misapplied the phrase, “the great tribulation.” There is an indication that this word “great” doesn’t just mean great in the sense of extreme or large, but also, or rather, great in the sense of many, or even importance or significance.

If that’s the case, then Acts 14:22 would apply, which says, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Each believer in Christ goes through “many” tribulations. So, what this group has gone through would be their own personal “many tribulations” that brought them into the kingdom, not so much the “great tribulation” of the end times. Our personal trials equip us as well as prove our faith, which we see played out in the life of Job.

The many trials and tribulations we go through, are producing evidence of our faith and faithfulness to God. They are also producing endurance in us (James 1:3), and once we persevere and are approved, we will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).

I think there is a good case for saying that “the great tribulation” this vast multitude came out of, was not what we normally call “the great tribulation” when we are talking about the judgement and wrath of God during the period of Daniels 70th week. Rather, they had come out of whatever significant and necessary tribulations were needed in their life to bring them to the point where their faith would be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Remember that the trials you go through are causing your faith, your precious, holy faith, to be proven to be genuine evidence that silences the enemy’s accusations against you!


THE SEVENTH SEAL: Silence, Prayers, Preparation for Trumpets

1When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

When the seventh seal is opened, the book is fully opened. There is silence in heaven for half an hour. This transition time from the seals to the trumpets begins with the prayers of the saints mixed in with incense and fire of the altar (Revelation 8:3-6). I believe the prayers of the martyrs seen in the fifth seal is a part of this.

Incense was used in the Old Testament to protect the priests from being consumed by God's holiness when they went into the holy of holies to make atonement for themselves and the people (Leviticus 16:12-13). It was also used to stop the plague of God's anger when Aaron stood between the dead and the living with incense to intercede for the people (Numbers 16:46-50). The prayers of the saints mixed in with incense and the fire of the altar, would indicate a protection on God's people from judgment to come.

After the opening of the seventh seal, and the silence that followed, the prayers of the saints were thrown to the earth, mingled with incense and fire of the altar. This ushered in the time of the trumpets when more than their prayers were seen thrown to earth. It would seem the final dislodging of the enemy in the heavens was finally accomplished during the first four trumpets.

As the Church rises in the authority Jesus has given us over the enemy, and offers earnest prayers for, among other things, God to avenge the blood of the martyrs (Revelation 6:10), we will see as Jesus described, Satan fall like lightning from heaven. He said this while He was still on earth, after he sent out the seventy to do the work of the ministry, and they came back rejoicing that even the demons were subject to them in His name (Luke 10:17-20). I believe He saw the maturity of His Church at the end of the age moving in power in His name, and displacing Satan from heaven once and for all. At the opening of the seventh seal, when the prayers of the saints are mingled with the incense and fire of the altar that are thrown down to the earth, the sounding of the trumpets begin. When the saints have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, when they’ve overcome by the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11), their faith proven through their many tribulations (1 Peter 1:6-7), when they’ve committed their lives and bodies to being a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1); they have not only made themselves ready to be His Bride (Revelation 19:7), but have prepared themselves to function as the ekklesia of Christ—His governing body in the earth—which dislodges the powers of hell from the heavenly places.

The prayers of the saints, and the church rising in the authority given by Christ, seem to have a major part to play in setting off the first trumpet, and the final countdown to the Lord's return.

From an earthly perspective, the transition goes from the sixth seal in Revelation 6:17 with signs of the beginning of the end, to the sounding of the first trumpet in Revelation 8:7.

The time to consider your spiritual condition, the reality of eternity, and who will ultimately enforce truth and judge unrighteousness, is now.


Note: The entirety of this message is found in my booklet, "Opening the Seals to the Book of Revelation."


Revised October 28, 2025

The Beast of Revelation

Revelation chapters 13-19 tell the story of the beast. To understand the beast, and his mark, we also need to look at the harlot Babylon and her judgement.

Babylon the Great is described in the book of Revelation as a woman who is a city (17:18) which is full of merchandise--precious stones, fabric, metals, spices, food, and livestock. There is music, crafts, mills, and human slaves. Wait. What? Yes, human slaves (18:12-13, 22-23). Yet this city is loved by the merchants who make great wealth from her (18:15). The kings of the earth love her too, as do all who live on the earth who have become seduced by her and drunk with her wine (18:3, 9). 

Babylon is called a woman, a harlot, and she rises over time and from among the peoples of the earth (17:1). You may have heard that Babylon is the harlot church, or the church who is unfaithful to God, but I believe its more accurate to say she is all people, merchants, and kings, (17:2, 18:3, 9, 11, 15), along with their skills and resources, who have turned from God, and been seduced by the fleshly pleasures they receive when giving themselves fully to them (17:15). This makes her more of a corrupt economic system that controls a person's time, energy, skills, and resources which were intended to be used for God's purposes; luring people into pursuing self-pleasure instead of truth and righteousness. The intoxicating lure of building your own kingdom can be enticing.

The woman holds a cup of wine in her hand (17:4). It is the wine of her immorality. This wine is called the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses of Jesus (17:6). Wine is a fruit of a man's harvest, and this wine is the fruit of the harlot's merchandise which tramples on the fruit of the gifts and callings of God's people. The end result is the intoxication of wealth. The love of money. It will suck the life out of a person, who then becomes its slave.

God warns us of her and the danger of becoming intoxicated by her wine--the love of pleasure, power, or money. God gives a warning for His people to come out of her, out of Babylon, for two reasons--

• So we will not participate in her sins
• So we will not receive of her plagues (18:4)

An hour of judgement is coming to Babylon, and God warns people not to be on the receiving end of that judgement. We must not fall into the harlot's trap. We must not fall under the intoxicating spell of the love of money or worldly power. True life is found in choosing God and His ways over everything else, even if its hard or costs us something (1 Timothy 6:10). 

God will pronounce judgement against this harlot on our behalf. The blood of the prophets, saints, and all those slain is found in her (18:24). Unfortunately, believers can become intoxicated on her wine--corrupted by the influence of wealth and power. We are told to come out of her (Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17) and rejoice when she is judged (18:20). And judgement comes from a very unusual place--the very beast she sits on. Ten kings of the earth, who have no kingdom for themselves, unite with the antichrist beast, giving their authority to to him to unite in purpose to destroy the harlot (17:16-17). 

Yet, this one evil is conquered by another. We're warned against taking the mark of the beast as well. Those who worship the image of the beast and receive his mark have been deceived by the signs of the false prophet (19:20). Those who overcome are described as the ones who don't receive the mark of the beast (15:2). 

The antichrist beast rises from the sea--from among the people (13:1)--but gets his power from Satan. He is the image of Satan (the dragon) who also has seven heads and ten horns (12:3, 13:1). The dragon is the devil (12:9), a spiritual being, who uses the beast as a physical presence in the earth. He persecutes the Jews and makes war with the Christians (Rev. 12) but he needs the earthly authority of the ten kings to establish his global rule.

Those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life will be amazed by the beast. They will love him. They will think he's great and will "worship" him. They will be impressed by his "fatal wound that was healed." (Rev. 17:8, 13:3-4). As people are amazed by the beast, they are not only following him, but worshiping the dragon (Satan), whether they realize it or not.

God puts it in the heart of the ten kings and the beast to unite with a common purpose in order for God's purpose to be established, until His Word is fulfilled. They will make war with and conquer Babylon. She will fall. Many will mourn her fall. The kings of the earth, the merchants who gained wealth through her, and those intoxicated on her wine (18:9-11). However, the beast, and his global economic and religious rule, replaces the harlot. He is no better.

The beast blasphemes God, His Name, His tabernacle, and all that is in heaven. He has global authority and controls the economic system. He makes war with the saints and overcomes them--those who refuse his economic system and not receive "the mark," which is required to buy and sell (13:5-8, 16-17). These ones are overcomers in the eyes of God (Revelation 15). The beast is worshiped by all who are not written in the Lamb's book of life. They will be dependent on him for survival. Their God-given occupational gifts and talents will be owned by the one who controls the economic system. 

The beast will set up his own economic system which kills the saints who don't get in on it (13:15). (The two witnesses of Revelation 11 prophesy for about 42 months while the holy city is being trampled until they are killed by the beast). Alongside the beast will rise a false prophet--a religious figure who rises from the earth (13:11-18). This false prophet makes people worship the beast. He performs miraculous signs, calling fire down from heaven, to deceive and persuade the people to follow the beast. The false prophet tells people to make an image to the beast, and he "gives breath" to this image so it speaks, and kills those who don't worship the beast or take his mark. Those without the mark will not be able to buy or sell.

In the end, the beast and ten king alliance will try to wage war against the Lamb--against Jesus--and will be defeated (19:19-20). The Lord will come on His white horse with the armies of heaven following Him--those clothed in white (19:11-16). The beast and the false prophet will be seized and thrown into the lake of fire (19:20). The rest will be killed with the sword from the mouth of the Lord (19:21). 

After the thousand year reign, Satan will be released from prison to deceive the nations and gather them for war against the beloved city of God. They will be devoured with fire from heaven, and he will be thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are. They will be there forever and ever (Rev. 20).

So what does this look like practically for us as believers in Jesus? 

The harlot system of the world is loved by those who gain wealth and power from it. The merchandise of this earth is not evil itself, but the love of it is. When we care more about money, increase, or position than we do about God, His ways, and His people, then we are becoming intoxicated and corrupted by the harlot. This heart-attitude prepares people to receive the evil that will follow--the mark of the beast. We must separate ourselves from this harlot, even while we live in the midst of it.

Since the scattering of the believers after Jesus' resurrection, the church has gone out into the world to live in it and preach the Gospel to it. We have "grown up" among the thorns sharing in the same types of economic systems of unbelievers. Yet God warns us not to participate in the harlot's sins. He wants us separated from her, protected from the judgement coming on her (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Isaiah 52:11, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).

God loves His people and is angered by the deception that comes against them to pull them into this trap. Judgement is coming to the harlot, yet, He will use another evil to bring it down. The harlot deceives believers into following her by a seductive lure of wealth. The beast will try and use a religious approach to lure people in, but will also use force to kill those who don't follow him. We must be on guard for both--ahead of time, before these things become obvious in the earth.

As we see shifts in the economic systems of the world, we know its getting close to the time of the Lord's return to establish His rule on the earth. We must be separated from the attachment of worldly lures, before their seduction takes hold in us. She was corrupted with immorality (17:2-6, 18:2-5, 7, 9,23-24) but the reward that comes with the Lord's presence, and His holy city will be worth it all.

Revelation 13-19.