Here is Christmas 2017 with grandsons Nate and Ryker and cousin Mason in the middle.

Revelation 6

Chapter 5 answers the question of “who is worthy to open the book and break the seven seals”? The answer was “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.” Chapter 6 tells of the lamb breaking the first six seals and initiating the events of the tribulation which follows the rapture. The first seal sends forth a white horse representing initial peace. The second seal releases a red horse that takes away peace and initiates much bloodshed as men kill each other. The third seal is a black horse which initiates scarcity of food and resources. The fourth is an ashen horse and results in worldwide chaos of war, famine, pestilence and wild beasts. A fourth of the population suffers death. The fifth seal is the cry and prayers of the martyrs asking for vengeance. The sixth seal unleashes natural disasters-acts of God. No one can hide from God’s natural disasters, whether rich, strong, slave or free. Ch 6 ends with a question “the great day of their wrath has come and who is able to stand”? Chapter 7 answers this question.

In this last paragraph, I rattled off the judgements of the 6 seals rather dispassionately. When reading this portion of Revelation, there is a like a mental protection system within us that wants turns off our comprehension of the reality of the Lord’s wrath and judgement. I’m not sure we want to really embrace it all. It’s tempting to treat it like we would a dooms-day movie. We watch the movie, masses of people are killed, we are entertained, but we don’t seriously believe it will happen. That’s not the case in Revelation.

You ask, can’t it all just be symbolic? I suppose it could but that introduces tons of complexity and uncertainty to reading and understanding God’s Word. A simple principle of studying God’s Word is that we take it at its word. Interpret it in a straightforward manner unless it is obviously symbolic. Otherwise, consider it to be what it says. It’s not always quite that simple but approach it first simply and as a straightforward message. If clearly symbolic, then apply extra work to understand it. This chapter, I believe, is straightforward. A time is coming, immediately after the rapture, when Jesus unleashes a series of events that are ominous judgements upon the world. Here they are described as the breaking of the seals.
Lord, this reveals a side of you that we often don’t (want) think much about; your wrath. Today we see you, in most ways, holding back your wrath. But ultimately, your holiness demands it. Thank you for saving me and holding back your wrath from me. All because of Jesus dying for me and saving me. Amen!