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The Seals
6 1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, "Come!"
2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.
3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, "Come!"
4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.
5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, "Come!" I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, "A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day's pay. And don't waste the olive oil and wine."
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, "Come!"
8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals. NLT
(the following is from www.easyenglish.bible)
"Verses 1-2: The first seal.
The Lamb opened the first seal of the scroll. He started the events of the last days. These are in the 7 seals. The last seal includes the 7 trumpets. The last trumpet includes the 7 bowls. The end of the world comes after the 7 bowls.
One of the four creatures called out. His voice was loud like the sound of thunder. He called for the first horseman to come. And John saw a white horse. The rider had a bow and a crown. He rode to fight and to win battles on the earth.
This rider was not Christ. Christ does come on a white horse in chapter 19. But Christ has many crowns. And, in that description, a sharp sword comes out of his mouth. But here, Christ opened the seal that caused this rider to come.
This was an evil rider. His aim was to hurt people and to fight battles. He was powerful and he did much damage on the earth.
Verses 3-4: The second seal.
The Lamb opened the second seal. The second creature called, ‘Come.’ A bright red horse came. The rider had received a large sword. He received the power to take peace from the earth.
This evil man caused people to kill each other. The red horse was the color of blood. There were wars across the whole earth. The color red reminds us about the blood of those who died in the battles.
Verses 5-6: The third seal.
The Lamb opened the next seal. As the third creature called out, John saw a black horse. As it came, he saw the rider. He had in his hands a balance. People would use a balance in order to measure the weight of things.
John heard a voice from the center of the throne. It spoke about the price of wheat and barley. A man could buy enough wheat for himself for one day. That would cost all that he earned in that day. Barley was the food of poor people. It was not as good for food as wheat. So, for the same cost he could buy enough for three people. These food prices were about 12 times more than normal.
There was not enough food. So, the food was very expensive. People were poor and many died. They starved to death.
The horseman could not spoil the oil and the wine. These were necessary for people to live during those times.
Verses 7-8: The fourth (4th) seal.
After the third seal came the fourth one. Jesus the Lamb broke it open. The fourth creature called for the next horse. This horse was pale, which is the color of the skin of dead people. Death was the name of the rider, and Hades followed him.
They received the power to kill. They had the right to kill a quarter of all the people on the earth. They used four methods to achieve this. The first was with swords. Many people died because of wars and murder. Many more people died because of lack of food. Many people died because of diseases. Even the wild animals suffered because of lack of food. So, the wild animals attacked and killed people.
Hades is the name of the place of dead people. In Hades, they wait for the day when God will be their judge. Those who belong to Christ will not go to Hades. They go to be with the Lord in heaven."
Lord, hear the private prayers of our hearts today. Guide us, comfort us, strengthen us, and bless us so that we may carry Your love into the world. We give You all our praise and thanks. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
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