The Seven Seals Of Revelation Overview

This Revelation Timeline Decoded Bible study gives an overview of the fulfillment of the seal judgements in Revelation 6.

Rome is the fourth kingdom of the prophecies in Daniel 2 and 7, and it was at the height of its power, when white horses were used in victory parades, and the Cretan Emperors wore a wreath, representing a crown.

The Early Church would have been familiar with those symbols, so they would have understood that the seal judgments were about the Roman Empire.

They would have deciphered the connection to Zechariah 6, whose red, black, and white horses, spoke of God’s judgment on Gentile powers.  But the Romans would not have known the Old Testament references.

John couldn’t say that the seals were about the fall of the Roman Empire, as that would have invited severe persecution from the Romans, so he used symbols to convey the message.

During the time of Rome’s rule, Messiah set up His kingdom which grew into millions of followers in a short period of time, because the Apostles and Early Church were scattered due to persecution, so the Gospel was spread around the Roman Empire.  Each of the Apostles traveled to other countries, sharing the Gospel.  Paul’s missions expanded the kingdom and established many Churches.

 “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Daniel 2:44

Christ was going forth on His victorious mission of taking control of countries with His Gospel, and of avenging the martyrs deaths by causing the Roman Empire to collapse during the rest of the seal judgments.

Christ is overthrowing the greatest power the world has ever known, the mighty Roman Empire, and He is doing it not with weapons, but with the sword of His Word.

And He will return on a white horse to destroy the last phase of the Roman beast.

Who is Worthy to Break the Seven Seals of Revelation?

John was given the Revelation in 96 A.D., and in Revelation 1:1 Messiah told him that these things would take place shortly.

To the Church of the first three centuries the fulfillment of the Apocalypse had already begun, and was to continue without a break to the final consummation of all things.

The early Church interpreted the first vision, that of the crowned rider seated upon a white horse, armed with a bow, going forth “conquering and to conquer,” as a representation of Messiah going forth on His victorious mission.

The fact that Messiah had founded a Kingdom whose power was greater even than that of Rome, became early apparent. The words of Origen in his answer to Celsus strikingly exhibit the conviction of the primitive Church, that its marvelous progress could only be explained by attributing it to the action of supernatural power.

“Anyone who examines the subject will see that Jesus attempted and successfully accomplished works beyond the reach of human power. For although from the very beginning, all things opposed the spread of His doctrine in the world, — both the princes of the time, and their chiefs captains and generals, and all, to speak generally, who were possessed of the small influence, and in addition to these people, —yet it proved victorious, as being the Word of God, the nature of which is such that it cannot be hindered; and becoming more powerful than such adversaries, it made itself master of the whole of Greece, and a considerable portion of barbarian lands, and converted a countless number of souls to his religion.” Origen against Celsus, Ch. XXVIII

Historian Edward Gibbon said “While the Roman world was invaded by open violence, or under minded by slow decay, a pure and humble religion quietly insinuated itself into the minds of men; grew up in silence and obscurity; derived new vigour from opposition; and finally erected the triumphal banner of the Cross on the ruins of the Capital.

And in the vision thus interpreted is found a key to the entire prophecy; for this is the starting point of the whole. Seals, trumpets, and vials set forth a continuous course of history stretching to the consummation, having as its commencement the going forth of the Gospel of Christ to accomplish its world-subduing work.

No other interpretation was ever known in the Christian Church till the rise of futurism.

Messiah was the only one found worth to open the seals, so naturally it points to His exacting vengeance against the Satan-empowered Roman Empire; not to an end-times one-man antichrist.

Here is a summary of the fulfillment of the seals, which will be explained in greater detail on the study pages.

1st Seal – The white horse represents the conquering Roman Empire, from 96 – 180 A.D., as it was a time of its greatest expansion and their military conquests were celebrated by riding white horses in their victory parades. Cretan Roman Emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, each had a bow as their symbol. The crown represents the laurel wreathes of victory that were worn by the Caesars after their armies had won a military battle.

2nd Seal – The Red horse represents a bloody time in the Roman Empire from 185-284 A.D., as it went into a phase of revolution and civil war for 90 years, during which there were 32 emperors and 27 contenders for the throne.

3rd Seal – The Black horse represents a period gloom and despair, as the Romans suffered under excessive taxes that were needed to pay for wars. The prices for wheat and barley that the Lord decreed were the exact prices from 222-235 A.D.

4th Seal – The Pale horse represents 1/4th of Romans dying from famine, plague, pestilence and violence, from 250-300 A.D.  The word ‘earth‘ means land, not the whole Earth.  The Roman Empire is the land/earth of prophecy.

5th Seal – It represents the millions of martyrs who were killed by the Roman Empire, especially the Smyrna church martyrs who Emperor Diocletian persecuted for 10 years, from 303-312 A.D. Their blood is crying out for the Lord to avenge their deaths.

6th Seal – Earthquakes in the prophecy represent great political upheavals. Eastern Emperor Constantine defeated Diocletian’s army in 312 A.D., which ended the persecutions. Diocletian (the Sun) was so panic stricken, he died insane. Constantine defeated emperors Maxentius and Licinius to become sole ruler of both west and east by 324 A.D. The Roman leaders (stars) fell and their power receded as a scroll. The mountains and islands that were moved out of place, were the countries and people that were affected by this political change.

7th Seal – It represents the Lord sealing His servants before He sounds the 7 trumpets of judgment against the Pagan Roman Empire.

David Nikao Wilcoxson

Next Revelation Timeline Decoded Bible Study: Revelation 6 – 1st Seal White Horse

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25 thoughts on “The Seven Seals Of Revelation Overview”

  1. The First Seal is the Babylonian Empire, the Second Seal is the Medo-Persian Empire, the Third Seal is the Grecian Empire and the Fourth Empire is the Roman Empire. The Fifth Seal is the rule of the Papacy, still in the Roman Empire which we are living at the very end of it.

    Reply
    • Well that is an interesting explanation. Can you please provide a verse by verse explanation, so that I can see how each description of the seals fits your explanation?

      Reply
  2. David, I’m well aware of your studies, and I thank the Lord for raising up believer’s like yourself, who are not afraid to write the truth. Who knows how long the Internet will be available for us to share God’s words with each other, as the enemy is slowly turning up the heat.
    I was merely referring to Gary Stainfield, I’m still waiting for him to give us a verse by verse explanation of how the seals should be viewed.

    David, May the Lord bless you continually in your studies.

    Reply
      • That website refers to a futuristic ‘7 Year Peace Plan’. The concept of a futuristic 70th week of Daniel is a deception from the Jesuits of Rome, who created it to deflect blame away from the Popes, as the Protestant Reformers had rightly identified them as the Son of Perdition and the antichrist beast.

        There is no future 7-year tribulation period, as the 70th week of Daniel was fulfilled on time, after the 69th week; when Messiah and His disciples confirmed with the Jews (for seven years) that He is the promised Messiah who ratified the everlasting covenant with His blood, as the Passover Lamb.

        The seven years ended after the Jewish leaders stoned Stephen to death, marking their final rejection of their promised Messiah. Then the book of Acts clearly shows a dramatic shift, as the Gospel was also preached to the Gentile nations.

        http://70thweekofdaniel.com

        Reply
        • There will be a future 7 Year Peace Plan and that is when salvation comes again. That is when Moses and Eliyah show up in Jerusalem at the very beginning of it. That is when the truth will be taught to every living person again like it was back during the Former Rain of Yahweh’s Spirit poured out back then. This is the time Yahweh will pour out the Latter Rain of His Spirit on those who believe at that time. This is when you will see the miracles and healings happening again. Mid-way through Moses and Eliyah will be killed, then the 3 1/2 year Tribulation Period starts and the Papacy will make Christianity the One World Religion, then the Christians will persecute and kill Yahweh’s elect at that time. Yahweh Messiah’s return is when all the armies of every nation goes against Jerusalem. Study for the real truth not the Christian lies…….

          Reply
          • The concept of a futuristic 70th week of Daniel is a deception from the Jesuits of Rome, who created it to deflect blame away from the Popes, as the Protestant Reformers had rightly identified them as the Son of Perdition and the antichrist beast.

            There is no future 7-year tribulation period, as the 70th week of Daniel was fulfilled on time, after the 69th week; when Messiah and His disciples confirmed with the Jews (for seven years) that He is the promised Messiah who ratified the everlasting covenant with His blood, as the Passover Lamb.

            The seven years ended after the Jewish leaders stoned Stephen to death, marking their final rejection of their promised Messiah. Then the book of Acts clearly shows a dramatic shift, as the Gospel was also preached to the Gentile nations.

            http://70thweekofdaniel.com

      • Revelation describes prophecies that were to be fulfilled in the future, so saying that Babylon is the white horse of the 1st seal, Cyrus of Medo-Persia is the red horse, and Alexander the Great and Greece is the black horse; is a false association.

        John was given the Revelation in 96 A.D., and in Revelation 1:1 Jesus told him that these things would take place shortly.

        1st Seal – The white horse represents the conquering Roman Empire, from 96 – 180 A.D., as it was a time of its greatest expansion and their military conquests were celebrated by riding white horses in their victory parades. Cretan Roman Emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, each had a bow as their symbol. The crown represents the laurel wreathes of victory that were worn by the Caesars after their armies had won a military battle.

        During the time of Rome’s rule, Jesus set up His kingdom which grew into millions of followers in a short period of time, because the Apostles and Early Church were scattered due to persecution, so the Gospel was spread around the Roman Empire. Each of the Apostles traveled to other countries, sharing the Gospel. Paul’s missions expanded the kingdom and established many Churches.

        “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Daniel 2:44

        Christ was going forth on His victorious mission of taking control of countries with His Gospel, and of avenging the martyrs deaths by causing the Roman Empire to collapse during the rest of the seal judgments. Christ is overthrowing the greatest power the world has ever known, the mighty Roman Empire, and He is doing it not with weapons, but with the sword of His Word. Jesus will return on a white horse to destroy the last phase of the Roman beast.

        2nd Seal – The Red horse represents a bloody time in the Roman Empire from 185-284 A.D., as it went into a phase of revolution and civil war for 90 years, during which there were 32 emperors and 27 contenders for the throne.

        3rd Seal – The Black horse represents a period gloom and despair, as the Romans suffered under excessive taxes that were needed to pay for wars. The prices for wheat and barley that the Lord decreed were the exact prices from 222-235 A.D.

        4th Seal – The Pale horse represents 1/4th of Romans dying from famine, plague, pestilence and violence, from 250-300 A.D. The word ‘earth‘ means land, not the whole Earth. The Roman Empire is the land/earth of prophecy.

        5th Seal – It represents the millions of martyrs who were killed by the Roman Empire, especially the Smyrna church martyrs who Emperor Diocletian persecuted for 10 years, from 303-312 A.D. Their blood is crying out for the Lord to avenge their deaths.

        6th Seal – Earthquakes in the prophecy represent great political upheavals. Eastern Emperor Constantine defeated Diocletian’s army in 312 A.D., which ended the persecutions. Diocletian (the Sun) was so panic stricken, he died insane. Constantine defeated emperors Maxentius and Licinius to become sole ruler of both west and east by 324 A.D. The Roman leaders (stars) fell and their power receded as a scroll. The mountains and islands that were moved out of place, were the countries and people that were affected by this political change.

        http://revelationtimelinedecoded.com/revelation-fulfillment-timeline-summary/

        Reply
        • No, it is not a false association, I have proven the 4 Horsemen of Revelation by History and Scriptures. No one can come against them, they can only say they are not true.

          Read the ones you have, no proof, just an opinion. PROVE ALL THINGS. Christianity is a lie started by Constantine. Daniel Chapter 7 is Constantine. Constantine killed off the last of Yahweh’s elect with his 11th Emperor persecution. He opened the 5th Seal with the elect all dead asking Yahweh how long before He avenges their blood. The 5th Seal is the rule of the Papacy and it ends with the killing of the 7 Year Peace Plan elect that those back then are waiting for them to be killed as they were.

          Reply
        • First Four Horsemen Seals – By Gary Wendell Stanfield

          Nimrod the White Horse rider with the crown and bow.
          Represents the Babylonian Empire and that I will show.
          He by conquest was given the first kingdom on earth.
          The first false messiah by paganism he gave birth.

          “Cyrus the Great” the Red Horse rider with the “Great Sword”.
          Persia fought their kin the Medes then with one accord,
          Became the ram and bear which took peace from the earth.
          Medo-Persian Empire with war expanded their empires girth.

          Then the Black Horse rider who is “Alexander the Great”,
          Also had balances in his hand to put food on their plate.
          The Greeks traded Oil and Wine to get their barley and wheat.
          This represents the Grecian Empire after Medo-Persia’s defeat.

          The Pale Horse rider is Death, the Emperors of Rome.
          Today that is the Pope who sits under Saint Peter’s Dome.
          The Roman Empire killed Yahweh’s people in many a way.
          The believers all died for their savior, Messiah Yahweh.

          Satan is the rider and is Death, the Emperors killed the elect of Yahweh off through the 11 Emperor persecutions.

          Reply
        • Revelation 6:1-8 – THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE … the sword, hunger, pestilence (plagues), and wild beasts. These are the four judgments the Lord said he would send in Ezekiel 14:21.Same Could this be about the destruction Jerusalem in 70 AD? John was talking about, I see John used a lot of the same passages from the OT showing us the meaning

          Reply
          • John didn’t cover Messiah’s Olivet Discourse in his Gospel, because the desolation of Jerusalem had already taken place. The same is true of Revelation, which is forward-looking to events which would take place.

            The seal judgments are about the Satan-empowered Roman beast kingdom, as the Emperors were used to try to wipe out Messiah’s assembly of saints, killing millions. Here’s a link to the Revelation Fulfillment Summary https://revelationtimelinedecoded.com/revelation-fulfillment-timeline-summary/

            The studies on the website prove it out verse by verse.

  3. wow, just read through your emails. There is just so much out there in history that it is hard to look at everything and nail down any one thing. I don’t doubt what you have written and definitely believe in most everything. It’s to bad that pastors today do not want to touch this subject. I think in most churches they do not want to know the truth just go along with what the mainstream thought is. I believe that God has so much information out there you really need to spend all your time researching God’s word. I am pretty much with you on seals and trumpets being opened and blown, but there are others out there that believe as you do but have different examples in history of those things occurring. (See End of the Age Ministries). I do believe that Christ will Rapture the church at a future Festival of Trumpets, but what we have to go through before then is still to be determined I think. But one thing, you have pretty much changed my mind on a seven year future period, I never could wrap my mind around all that stuff happening in such a short period of time. Thanks for a great website. You should think about getting out there on disks.

    Reply

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