Revelations 6 and 7

These chapters go together and in them each of the seven seals are opened. Each seal represents a thousand years of the earth's existence.

The first seal represents the time of Adam and Enoch. It is symbolized by a white horse representing the triumph of righteousness over evil. It is in that time that Enoch and the people reached a level of righteousness that enabled them to walk with God and their whole city was taken up to heaven.

The second thousand years is the time of Noah and the flood destroying nearly all life. It is symbolized by a red horse of death.

The third thousand years is the time of Abraham. It is the time that Israel were slaves to Egypt until they were able to flee Egypt. It is a time of many famines and is symbolized by a black horse of famine.

The fourth represents the time of the great empires such as the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman. It is when the ten tribes of Israel were scattered and is symbolized by a pale horse of death.

The fifth thousand years is the time of the Savior's life, crucifixion and resurrection, and the destruction of Jerusalem. John sees his brethren, the apostles, who were martyred because of their testimonies of the Savior.

With the sixth thousand years, the restoration of the gospel occurs in preparation for the second coming. The signs of the second coming are seen such as a great earthquake and other catastrophic events that will occur.

The seventh thousand years represents the millennium where all of the righteous are gathered and the earth is able to rest. The 144,000 are servants who have their calling and election made sure (sealed by God in their foreheads). All of the other righteous are clothed in white robes and carry palms that represent their triumph over the world and John sees them standing before God and this throne. The last verses of this chapter describe these people overcome all things through their righteousness. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb." These wonderful promises are given to them, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them into living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."