So as the Apostle John is standing watching the Lamb of God (Christ) removing each of the seven seals, he is witnessing a great disclosure as he both sees and hears the enlightenment and understanding of each of the divine mysteries coming forth and at the same time he is bearing witnesses to the mighty and powerful arm of the Lord beginning to judge a godless world. (If you have entered the site at this page, please read this article from the beginning so that you may understand all that is actually taking place as Christ removes each seal.)

So now we understand that as each seal is removed there are actually two events taking place; the first is that the enlightenment and understanding of a divine mystery is given forth by Christ and made known to His bond servants and the second is that the mighty and powerful arm of the Lord is revealed and judgment comes forth on a godless world. In addition we understand that the scroll is sealed with seven seals and therefore there are seven divine mysteries that are made known, and as each is made known then we discover that the understanding of each is intertwined in the visions of John and the complete picture or understanding of the Book of Revelation comes forth. To use picture words, it is like gazing upon the Man among the myrtle trees.

8 I saw in the night [vision] and behold, a Man riding upon a red horse, and He stood among the myrtle trees that were in a low valley or bottom, and behind Him there were horses, red, bay or flame-colored, and white. 9Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel who talked with me said, I will show you what these are. 10And the Man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro through the earth and patrol it. 11And the men on the horses answered the Angel of the Lord Who stood among the myrtle trees and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth [patrolling it] and behold, all the earth sits at rest [in peaceful security]. 12Then the Angel of the Lord said, O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy and lovingkindness for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which You have had indignation these seventy years [of the Babylonian captivity]? 13And the Lord answered the angel who talked with me with gracious and comforting words. 14So the angel who talked with me said to me, Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. 15And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was but a little displeased, they helped forward the affliction and disaster. 16Therefore thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion (lovingkindness and mercy). My house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem [with a view to rebuilding its walls].

In this vision given to Zechariah, the essence of the prophetic word is a foreshadowing of the opening of the first four seals and the four horsemen found in the Book of Revelation; the myrtle trees are representative of the Truths contained within the Word of God and Christ (the Man among the myrtle trees) is standing among those Truths and as we see later in Revelation is found worthy to open the scroll and inspect its contents.

1 AND I saw lying on the open hand of Him Who was seated on the throne a scroll (book) written within and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals; 2And I saw a strong angel announcing in a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll? And [who is entitled and deserves and is morally fit] to break its seals? 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in the realm of the dead, Hades] was able to open the scroll or to take a [single] look at its contents. 4And I wept audibly and bitterly because no one was found fit to open the scroll or to inspect it. 5Then one of the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] said to me, Stop weeping! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root (Source) of David, has won (has overcome and conquered)! He can open the scroll and break its seven seals! 6And there between the throne and the four living creatures (beings) and among the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit] Who have been sent [on duty far and wide] into all the earth.

Also within this vision given to Zechariah we see that the Angel of the Lord spoke to him with, "gracious and comforting words"; a foreshadowing of the disclosure of the first four divine mysteries and this is given forth with the view of rebuilding the Household of God.

12 Then the Angel of the Lord said, O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy and lovingkindness for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which You have had indignation these seventy years [of the Babylonian captivity]? 13And the Lord answered the angel who talked with me with gracious and comforting words. 14So the angel who talked with me said to me, Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. 15And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was but a little displeased, they helped forward the affliction and disaster. 16Therefore thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion (lovingkindness and mercy). My house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem [with a view to rebuilding its walls].

One thing that we need to understand is Christ can open all seven seals at once (there are no time frames given between each of the seven seals) so that the complete understanding of the Book of the Revelation can be brought forth and made known; however, this does not mean that the associated judgment follows immediately, although the manifestation is sure to come. So now let's quickly review the seven divine mysteries that are disclosed as each of the seven seals are opened.

1. The Mystery of Christ In You, the Hope of Glory (Col. 1:25-27)
2. The Mystery of the Perishable Putting on the Imperishable (1Cor. 15:51-55)
3. The Mystery of the Plan of Redemption (Rom. 16:25)
4. The Mystery of Oneness Between Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:29-32)
5. The Mystery of the Unification of Israel (Rom. 11:25-28, Eph. 3:3-6)
6. The Mystery of Lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:7)
7. The Mystery of Christ (Eph. 1:9-14; 3:3-6; 6:19, 1Cor. 2:1, Col. 2:2-3; 4:3-4)

Now when we closely examine the first four divine mysteries, we discover that they all pertain directly to a close and personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. The Mystery of Christ In You, the Hope of Glory (Col. 1:25-27)
2. The Mystery of the Perishable Putting on the Imperishable (1Cor. 15:51-55)
3. The Mystery of the Plan of Redemption (Rom. 16:25)
4. The Mystery of Oneness Between Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:29-32)
5. The Mystery of the Unification of Israel (Rom. 11:25-28, Eph. 3:3-6)
6. The Mystery of Lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:7)
7. The Mystery of Christ (Eph. 1:9-14; 3:3-6; 6:19, 1Cor. 2:1, Col. 2:2-3; 4:3-4)

As we proceed through understanding the Book of the Revelation, then we will see that these first four mysteries reach their climax and fulfillment in John's vision of the woman of Revelation chapter twelve, which when properly understood is actually a vision of the Bride of Christ being "caught away" or "vanishing" or commonly known among the church as the "rapture". But for now let's look at the associated judgments that come forth as the arm of the Lord is revealed and made known to be with His bond slaves, as judgment begins to fall on a godless world. When the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to see this, your heart will rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like green and tender grass, and the powerful hand of the Lord shall be revealed and be made known to be with His servants, but His indignation and wrath shall be shown to be against His enemies.

14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like green and tender grass. And the [powerful] hand of the Lord shall be revealed and known to be with His servants, but His indignation [shown] to be against His enemies. 15For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and His chariots will be like the stormy wind, to render His anger with fierceness, and His rebuke with flames of fire.

The First Four Seal Judgments

Now let's turn to our Scripture reference and look closely at the first four seal judgments that come forth, and when we do we will see how one leads to the other and the first four seal judgments actually go hand in hand.

1THEN I saw as the Lamb broke open one of the seven seals, and as if in a voice of thunder I heard one of the four living creatures call out, Come! 2And I looked, and saw there a white horse whose rider carried a bow. And a crown was given him, and he rode forth conquering and to conquer. 3And when He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, Come! 4And another horse came out, flaming red. And its rider was empowered to take the peace from the earth, so that men slaughtered one another; and he was given a huge sword. 5When He broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, Come and look ! And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and in his hand the rider had a pair of scales (a balance). 6And I heard what seemed to be a voice from the midst of the four living creatures, saying, A quart of wheat for a denarius [a whole day's wages], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not harm the oil and the wine! 7When the Lamb broke open the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature call out, Come! 8So I looked, and behold, an ashy pale horse [black and blue as if made so by bruising], and its rider's name was Death, and Hades (the realm of the dead) followed him closely. And they were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague (pestilence, disease) and with wild beasts of the earth.

So what are the first four associated seal judgments?

1. The conquests of men, nations, religions and kingdoms come to the forefront.
   
   1THEN I saw as the Lamb broke open one of the seven seals, and as if in a voice of thunder I heard one of the four living creatures call out, Come! 2And I looked, and saw there a white horse whose rider carried a bow. And a crown was given him, and he rode forth conquering and to conquer.
   
   Revelation 6:1-2 Amplified Bible
2. Peace is taken from the earth so that men slaughter one another.
   
   3 And when He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, Come! 4And another horse came out, flaming red. And its rider was empowered to take the peace from the earth, so that men slaughtered one another; and he was given a huge sword.
   
   Revelation 6:3-4 Amplified Bible
3. Global economic collapse and soaring inflation rates.
   
   5 When He broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, Come and look ! And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and in his hand the rider had a pair of scales (a balance). 6And I heard what seemed to be a voice from the midst of the four living creatures, saying, A quart of wheat for a denarius [a whole day's wages], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not harm the oil and the wine!
   
   Revelation 6:5-6 Amplified Bible
4. One quarter of the population of mankind are killed by war, famine, plagues (pestilence and disease) and by the wild beasts of the earth.
   
   7 When the Lamb broke open the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature call out, Come! 8So I looked, and behold, an ashy pale horse [black and blue as if made so by bruising], and its rider's name was Death, and Hades (the realm of the dead) followed him closely. And they were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague (pestilence, disease) and with wild beasts of the earth.
   
   Revelation 6:7-8 Amplified Bible

So the first four seal judgments talk of nation rising against nation and kingdom rising against kingdom, wars and rumours of wars, famine, disease and pestilence taking place, just as Jesus said it would; and these are the beginning of birth pains.

1 AND AS [Jesus] was coming out of the temple [area], one of His disciples said to Him, Look, Teacher! Notice the sort and quality of these stones and buildings! 2And Jesus replied to him, You see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be loosened and torn down. 3And as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple [enclosure], Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately, 4Tell us when is this to take place and what will be the sign when these things, all [of them], are about to be accomplished? 5And Jesus began to tell them, Be careful and watchful that no one misleads you [about it]. 6Many will come in [appropriating to themselves] the name [of Messiah] which belongs to Me [basing their claims on the use of My name], saying, I am [He]! And they will mislead many. 7And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not get alarmed (troubled and frightened); it is necessary [that these things] take place, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines and calamities. This is but the beginning of the intolerable anguish and suffering [only the first of the birth pangs]. 9But look to yourselves; for they will turn you over to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony to them. 10And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations. 11Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12And brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and [have] them put to death. 13And you will be hated and detested by everybody for My name's sake, but he who patiently perseveres and endures to the end will be saved (made a partaker of the salvation by Christ, and delivered from spiritual death). 14But when you see the abomination of desolation mentioned by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not to be--[and] let the one who reads take notice and consider and understand and heed [this]--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house nor go inside to take anything out of his house; 16And let him who is in the field not turn back again to get his mantle (cloak). 17And alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have nursing babies in those days! 18Pray that it may not occur in winter, 19For at that time there will be such affliction (oppression and tribulation) as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until this particular time-and positively never will be [again]. 20And unless the Lord had shortened the days, no human being would be saved (rescued); but for the sake of the elect, His chosen ones (those whom He picked out for Himself), He has shortened the days. 21And then if anyone says to you, See, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, Look, there He is! do not believe it. 22False Christs (Messiahs) and false prophets will arise and show signs and [work] miracles to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (those God has chosen out for Himself). 23But look to yourselves and be on your guard; I have told you everything beforehand. 24But in those days, after [the affliction and oppression and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25And the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great (kingly) power and glory (majesty and splendor). 27And then He will send out the angels and will gather together His elect (those He has picked out for Himself) from the four winds, from the farthest bounds of the earth to the farthest bounds of heaven. 28Now learn a lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts forth its leaves, you recognize and know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things happening, you may recognize and know that He is near, at [the very] door. 30Surely I say to you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at that one time) positively will not perish or pass away before all these things take place. 31Heaven and earth will perish and pass away, but My words will not perish or pass away. 32But of that day or that hour not a [single] person knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man [already] going on a journey; when he leaves home, he puts his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and he gives orders to the doorkeeper to be constantly alert and on the watch. 35Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming--in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning--36[Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep. 37And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!

Notice that during the beginning of birth pains, Jesus says,"But look to yourselves; for they will turn you over to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony to them. And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations. Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and [have] them put to death. And you will be hated and detested by everybody for My name's sake, but he who patiently perseveres and endures to the end will be saved (made a partaker of the salvation by Christ, and delivered from spiritual death)."

9 But look to yourselves; for they will turn you over to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony to them. 10And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations. 11Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12And brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and [have] them put to death. 13And you will be hated and detested by everybody for My name's sake, but he who patiently perseveres and endures to the end will be saved (made a partaker of the salvation by Christ, and delivered from spiritual death).

Which brings us to the manifestation of the fifth seal judgment.