What Are the Seven Seals in Revelation — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

The seven seals are the first series of judgments in the Book of Revelation, found in chapters 5-8. John sees in the right hand of God a scroll sealed with seven seals. A strong angel asks, 'Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?' John weeps because no one is found worthy. Then he is told, 'Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book.' The Lamb who was slain takes the scroll, and all heaven worships Him as worthy. As the Lamb opens each seal, judgment unfolds. The first four seals release the famous four horsemen of the apocalypse. The first horseman, on a white horse, goes forth conquering and to conquer — interpreted variously as Christ, antichrist, or military conquest. The second, on a red horse, takes peace from the earth, bringing war. The third, on a black horse, holds balances of famine, with wheat and barley sold at exorbitant prices. The fourth, on a pale horse, is Death, with Hell following, given power over a fourth part of the earth to kill with sword, hunger, beasts, and pestilence. The fifth seal reveals the souls of the martyrs under the altar crying, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood?' They are given white robes and told to wait until the full number of their fellow servants is complete. The sixth seal brings cosmic upheaval: a great earthquake, the sun black as sackcloth, the moon as blood, stars falling, heaven departing as a scroll. Kings, captains, and slaves hide in caves, crying for the rocks to fall on them. Chapter 7 is an interlude, sealing the 144,000 and showing the great multitude from every nation. The seventh seal (Revelation 8:1) brings silence in heaven for half an hour, then unleashes the seven trumpet judgments. The seals reveal that history is in the hands of the Lamb, and every promise of judgment and salvation will come to pass.

Where It Sits in Scripture

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