It’s quite simple really. A rider on a white horse wearing a “crown” comes riding forth. A new age! The victorious gospel which brought it will continue its ride to the end (as all revelation elements will).
Next rider into the age is on a red horse, man’s unwanted companion throughout the ages, always “taking peace from the land”. This rider, as his ride progresses, is given “a long sword”. (Think 1945.)
Then comes the third “horseman of the apocalypse” (of self-destruction) who rides a black horse, carries a weight and measure, and always follows the second. Shortage and inequity. This element too, grows and matures throughout the age.
The fourth horseman rides a pale horse. He is pestilence, natural and manmade. The grave, and (wild) ‘beasts’ follow after him, including the mass grave.
These are elements of the age. There are seven in all. The next three are not portrayed as riding horses.
The “seals” are seals of wax upon a scroll, as a seal is broken the scroll is unrolled. When the fifth seal /element of the age is broken, John, who was given the vision, sees “souls at the base of the altar”. They are martyrs and their blood, like the blood of Abel cries out to God. They are told to wait patiently and that more shall join them.
When the sixth seal (and this is all in the sixth chapter) is broken open, the Earth shakes and men hide theirselves in caves (and shelters?)
The seals are described as an entirety, from their first occurrence and beginning, to their full progression and maturity at the ‘end’. This works to kind of veil the vision.
With the opening of the sixth seal, something new mushroomed forth upon the Earth, but then the winds of it are held in check. In the vision this is portrayed as angels holding back the winds that trees and grass be not harmed. (I am writing only from memory so please excuse any details that are slightly off.)
During this pause(?)of seal six, John sees a new scene, is told about groups of people. One is numbered, and one is “too many to number”. It’s 144,000 of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are “sealed on their foreheads”. (There are two opposing seals and ‘foreheads’ as days advance? Cross reference Mt.23:39?) The second, not numbered crowd is from all peoples of the nations and they have palm branches in their hands and are worshipping.
When the seventh seal is opened, John sees an angel take fire and incense from the altar “which are the prayers of the saints” (believers). And he throws it to the Earth. There is thunderings, lightenings, and earthquake. Remember seal six? I think the pause has been initially(?) interrupted.
Seven angels are given trumpets, and they prepare to sound. These trumpet blasts are described as harming grass, trees, seas, people and ships on the seas (trade?) So much so that even global/upon seven continents, “great City Babylon” crashes, then falls. The merchants made wealthy by her will weep when they see the smoke of her burning. As will the kings (politicians) of Earth who were in bed with her.
Even the sun and moon are affected! Or that is, their light, and their hours of light. Prophet Joel said there would be a dark and ‘cloudy’ day.
And the moon reflects red.
Meanwhile, chapter twelve of the vision is a total history all its own. An insert, and history of the faith from Israel birthing the Son of man to the gathering to Armageddon. (Again cross reference Mt.23:39? And Rev.16:14-16.) When read as an insert, in chapter twelve can be seen Herod the Great, Jerusalem razed in 70 A.D./C.E., the inquisitions, the Mayflower (you think I’m crazy now right?), drought, and the gathering to Armageddon.
Chapter thirteen is a total history too. I guess I should mention how beast one (the bigger one) of the chapter cross references so perfectly with the fourth “more terrible” beast of Daniel, chapter seven, verses 7 and 19. (Though they differ slightly, showing yesteryear's huge 'beast' - which also, was, then wasn't, then was again - and the final huge beast / governing or ruling body.) Also be sure to take note of the “bronze and iron”. In King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue of Daniel chapter two, the bronze (most agree) was Greece, and the iron was Rome.
The ‘big’ beast of Revelation 13, according to Daniel, has iron teeth (columns?) and bronze claws. “What the iron doesn’t break” completely, the claws scatter by trampling.
The second beast of the chapter, a smaller one, according to 13:13 - yes one cannot help but notice the numbers - unleashed a fire in the sight of man. Think 1945, seal six, and the “long sword” given to the second horseman of the apocalypse who rides a red horse. But this is veiled by the assumption the event pinpoints an individual - rather than an office! And also the belief this one is what is called “the false prophet”/teacher/teaching of the day with its “strong delusion” causing Western Civilization, once called, Christendom, to “fall away” from the faith. Later in the vision, this one and the larger beast of Revelation thirteen are thrown ‘alive’ into a lake of fire/fiery judgment/results, called a second death (these two institutions of man having been found “active” at Jesus’ return). Fiery judgement was originally known to be earthly.
Ten horns on the large beast, in the final hour, will devour (deplete?) great city Babylon, which was “God’s will”/intent after all.
In the seventh trumpet, come seven angels who were given seven “bowls” or pitchers? These are poured out quickly and there is a great earthquake, as Jesus, rider on white horse is seen coming in fire and with angels “immediately after the tribulations of those days” (2 Thess.1:7,8; Mt.24:29-31).
{He gathers His wheat into His barn, but the tares are gathered to Armageddon.}
John says the field of battle becomes deep with blood (oil?)
Jude, who wrote one short letter, which is right before the book of Revelation, says the example of “eternal fiery judgment” (popularized as ‘hell’) was the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Revelation, such judgment (consequences?!) are said to be a smoke which shall rise up forever and ever.. (metaphor). And thus ends one age and another begins (followed by another half its length? Lev.23?)
And thus begins the end of this learning to discern good and evil. At total end, Earth and sky, and all things “in heaven and Earth” (Eph.1:10; Col.1:20) are “made new”. There will no longer be sorrow, pain, or the mortality/fading of anything.. No more death, and Love rules! 1 Jn.4:8 (1 Cor.13:8!)
Next rider into the age is on a red horse, man’s unwanted companion throughout the ages, always “taking peace from the land”. This rider, as his ride progresses, is given “a long sword”. (Think 1945.)
Then comes the third “horseman of the apocalypse” (of self-destruction) who rides a black horse, carries a weight and measure, and always follows the second. Shortage and inequity. This element too, grows and matures throughout the age.
The fourth horseman rides a pale horse. He is pestilence, natural and manmade. The grave, and (wild) ‘beasts’ follow after him, including the mass grave.
These are elements of the age. There are seven in all. The next three are not portrayed as riding horses.
The “seals” are seals of wax upon a scroll, as a seal is broken the scroll is unrolled. When the fifth seal /element of the age is broken, John, who was given the vision, sees “souls at the base of the altar”. They are martyrs and their blood, like the blood of Abel cries out to God. They are told to wait patiently and that more shall join them.
When the sixth seal (and this is all in the sixth chapter) is broken open, the Earth shakes and men hide theirselves in caves (and shelters?)
The seals are described as an entirety, from their first occurrence and beginning, to their full progression and maturity at the ‘end’. This works to kind of veil the vision.
With the opening of the sixth seal, something new mushroomed forth upon the Earth, but then the winds of it are held in check. In the vision this is portrayed as angels holding back the winds that trees and grass be not harmed. (I am writing only from memory so please excuse any details that are slightly off.)
During this pause(?)of seal six, John sees a new scene, is told about groups of people. One is numbered, and one is “too many to number”. It’s 144,000 of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are “sealed on their foreheads”. (There are two opposing seals and ‘foreheads’ as days advance? Cross reference Mt.23:39?) The second, not numbered crowd is from all peoples of the nations and they have palm branches in their hands and are worshipping.
When the seventh seal is opened, John sees an angel take fire and incense from the altar “which are the prayers of the saints” (believers). And he throws it to the Earth. There is thunderings, lightenings, and earthquake. Remember seal six? I think the pause has been initially(?) interrupted.
Seven angels are given trumpets, and they prepare to sound. These trumpet blasts are described as harming grass, trees, seas, people and ships on the seas (trade?) So much so that even global/upon seven continents, “great City Babylon” crashes, then falls. The merchants made wealthy by her will weep when they see the smoke of her burning. As will the kings (politicians) of Earth who were in bed with her.
Even the sun and moon are affected! Or that is, their light, and their hours of light. Prophet Joel said there would be a dark and ‘cloudy’ day.
And the moon reflects red.
Meanwhile, chapter twelve of the vision is a total history all its own. An insert, and history of the faith from Israel birthing the Son of man to the gathering to Armageddon. (Again cross reference Mt.23:39? And Rev.16:14-16.) When read as an insert, in chapter twelve can be seen Herod the Great, Jerusalem razed in 70 A.D./C.E., the inquisitions, the Mayflower (you think I’m crazy now right?), drought, and the gathering to Armageddon.
Chapter thirteen is a total history too. I guess I should mention how beast one (the bigger one) of the chapter cross references so perfectly with the fourth “more terrible” beast of Daniel, chapter seven, verses 7 and 19. (Though they differ slightly, showing yesteryear's huge 'beast' - which also, was, then wasn't, then was again - and the final huge beast / governing or ruling body.) Also be sure to take note of the “bronze and iron”. In King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue of Daniel chapter two, the bronze (most agree) was Greece, and the iron was Rome.
The ‘big’ beast of Revelation 13, according to Daniel, has iron teeth (columns?) and bronze claws. “What the iron doesn’t break” completely, the claws scatter by trampling.
The second beast of the chapter, a smaller one, according to 13:13 - yes one cannot help but notice the numbers - unleashed a fire in the sight of man. Think 1945, seal six, and the “long sword” given to the second horseman of the apocalypse who rides a red horse. But this is veiled by the assumption the event pinpoints an individual - rather than an office! And also the belief this one is what is called “the false prophet”/teacher/teaching of the day with its “strong delusion” causing Western Civilization, once called, Christendom, to “fall away” from the faith. Later in the vision, this one and the larger beast of Revelation thirteen are thrown ‘alive’ into a lake of fire/fiery judgment/results, called a second death (these two institutions of man having been found “active” at Jesus’ return). Fiery judgement was originally known to be earthly.
Ten horns on the large beast, in the final hour, will devour (deplete?) great city Babylon, which was “God’s will”/intent after all.
In the seventh trumpet, come seven angels who were given seven “bowls” or pitchers? These are poured out quickly and there is a great earthquake, as Jesus, rider on white horse is seen coming in fire and with angels “immediately after the tribulations of those days” (2 Thess.1:7,8; Mt.24:29-31).
{He gathers His wheat into His barn, but the tares are gathered to Armageddon.}
John says the field of battle becomes deep with blood (oil?)
Jude, who wrote one short letter, which is right before the book of Revelation, says the example of “eternal fiery judgment” (popularized as ‘hell’) was the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Revelation, such judgment (consequences?!) are said to be a smoke which shall rise up forever and ever.. (metaphor). And thus ends one age and another begins (followed by another half its length? Lev.23?)
And thus begins the end of this learning to discern good and evil. At total end, Earth and sky, and all things “in heaven and Earth” (Eph.1:10; Col.1:20) are “made new”. There will no longer be sorrow, pain, or the mortality/fading of anything.. No more death, and Love rules! 1 Jn.4:8 (1 Cor.13:8!)
To whomever has ears, to hear.