ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 6

Rev. 6:1–8:1 The vision of the Lamb receiving the scroll (4:1–5:14) introduces a series of seven visions as the scroll’s seals are broken. These visions show several ways in which the Lamb will bring his enemies to justice (seals 1–4). They also give the reason for his righteous wrath (seals 5 and 7) and describe the final judgment at history’s end (seal 6).

Rev. 6:1–8 As the Lamb opens each of the first four seals, one of the living creatures shouts, “Come!” Then a horse with its rider (or riders) responds. The horses’ colors are like those in Zech. 1:8–10; 6:1–8. They symbolize representatives sent by God to patrol the earth. Only by the Lamb’s permission can the horses and their riders inflict death.

Rev. 6:1–2 the Lamb opened one of the seven seals. Some think this is the beginning of the great tribulation (see Matt. 24:21). This rider on a white horse probably symbolizes the desire of political and military leaders to make their kingdoms larger. This leads to war (red horse), famine (black horse), and epidemic disease (pale horse).

Rev. 6:3–4 The next horse is red, the color of blood. Its rider is given a great sword. This symbolizes permission to take peace from the earth. The result is that warring armies kill each other.

Rev. 6:5–6 The rider on the black horse carries scales for measuring grains and their prices. A voice reveals inflated grain prices (8 to 10 times normal). War and disruption of commercial routes will produce scarcity. This will drive prices up (see Deut. 28:49–57; 2 Kings 6:24–25; 7:1–2). The command not to harm the oil and wine may have a social significance, because the rich were the primary consumers of oil and wine.

Rev. 6:7–8 Death and Hades (the realm of the dead) ride the pale horse (the color of corpses). Their authority to kill is limited to a fourth of the earth. Sword, famine, and pestilence (here meaning epidemic disease, such as bubonic plague) sum up the disasters the red, black, and pale horses symbolize. They also echo covenant punishments given to Jerusalem in the exile (Ezek. 14:12–21).

Rev. 6:9–11 The fifth seal reveals the Lamb’s reason for devastating the earth. John sees the souls of believers slain for bearing witness about Jesus (compare 20:4). They are under the altar, like a sacrifice would be. Their lament, how long? echoes the psalmists (Ps. 13:1; 89:46). white robe. A symbol of victory and purity (compare Rev. 3:4–5; 7:9; 14).

Rev. 6:12–17 The sixth seal previews the destruction of the first heaven and earth (20:11; 21:1). earthquake. See Ex. 19:18; Ezek. 38:19–20; Hag. 2:6; Heb. 12:26–27. Most of the seven cities mentioned in Revelation 2–3 had experienced devastating earthquakes during the century before Revelation was written. Rebellious humanity—from kings to everyone, slave and free—will seek protection from God and the Lamb (compare Isa. 2:20–21; Hos. 10:8). Their desperate question, “Who can stand?” (Nah. 1:5–6; Mal. 3:2), assumes none can.

Rev. 6:13 the stars of the sky fell to the earth. Those who do not think the sixth seal (vv. 12–17) predicts the destruction of the first heaven and earth believe this may refer to a massive meteor shower.