Revelation 6:3-4 (AKJV) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a great sword.
Note: There is different manuscript evidence regarding “Come,” and “Come and see.” Wilbur Pickering PhD writes:
The evidence is badly divided here, but I take it that two of the three main independent lines of transmission, including the best one, read as I have translated. The “Come!” was directed to the horse, not to John (since he was right there, there would be no need to address him with a thunderous roar). The same comment applies in verses 5 and 7. Over 80% of the Greek manuscripts do not have “and see”, as in KJV. Each of the living beings called out a horse, saying to it, “Come!”
The evidence is badly divided here, but I take it that two of the three main independent lines of transmission, including the best one, read as I have translated. The “Come!” was directed to the horse, not to John (since he was right there, there would be no need to address him with a thunderous roar). The same comment applies in verses 5 and 7. Over 80% of the Greek manuscripts do not have “and see”, as in KJV. Each of the living beings called out a horse, saying to it, “Come!”
The Seal Judgments (Review)
B1 Are the first set of judgments upon earth. These judgments are God’s wrath.
B2 In Revelation 4, the Apostle John sees a vision of the risen Jesus.
B3 In Revelation 5, John is shown a scroll. This scroll has 7 seals on it preventing all but only the qualified person to open these seals. There is an announcement, “Who is qualified to open this scroll?” There was no one who could open it and (read) it. [What were the qualifications? 1) Jesus is the Messiah by being a volunteer, sinless, and God so as to be the Passover Lame (1 Corinthians 5:7). 2) He was chosen by God (the Trinity).] One of the elders tells John not to weep for there is one who is qualified—The Lamb. This lamb is a symbol of Jesus as the qualified person (1 Corinthians 5:7 and the type found in Genesis 22 and elsewhere). He is sinless, did His Father’s will flawlessly, died, buried, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven to sit at the Father’s right hand. Jesus took the offered scroll from His Father (God the Father) and was worshipped. His worship is not a narcissistic command; it is the resulting action of those who are redeemed by the blood of our Passover Lamb and all His ministry. He is truly worthy (Revelation 5:12).
B4 The seven seal judgments are—
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The antiChrist
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Peace taken from the whole earth and its people
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Famine and food scarcity
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Death
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God’s vengeance upon the murderers of the Tribulation saints
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The great earthquake and astronomical signs
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The progress to the seven trumpet judgments (Revelation 8:1-6)
B5 This scroll does not have all the seals on the outside as seen in many pictures. There is one seal which allows the first judgment to be read and announced. Now, the second seal is removed allowing the second judgment to be read and announced.
Peace defined
B1 In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind (Webster 1828)
B2 Thus, tranquillity and freedom from war, civil war, private quarrels, harmony, etc.
B3 Also, from Webster 1828–5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience
B4 Peace with God—free from God’s wrath, hell, and reconciliation, allowing for fellowship.
The Second Seal
B1 Peace taken from the whole earth and its people
C1 This would cover personal, family, society, country, and the world.
C2 God is the author and giver of peace.
D1 The author of peace is God, for peace is a character trait of God (1 Corinthians 14:33). Compare Luke 2:14, Romans 15:33, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, and Hebrews 13:20.
D2 Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
D3 Peace is described in James 3:17-18 (AKJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
B2 The judgment and wrath of God results in increased violence—war, fights between people, neighbors, governments, spouses, children, groups, etc. It is a world of violence and hate. There is no longer any restraint on sin.
B3 These judgments are unleashed because the “restrainer” has been removed. The Restrainer is the Holy Spirit, who is the only one to have the authority and ability to restrain satan and his plans. The Holy Spirit will never be inactive in the world. Today in the church (believers), who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and 1 Corinthians 6:19), pray, live, and witness to stop evil. God will destroy evil (1 John 3:8 and Hebrews 2:14). At the Rapture, the church (believers) will be removed from the earth. The restrainer cannot be governments, because they will still exist in the Tribulation.
B3 Worldwide—none excepted
Who is the “giver” who authorizes and gives of these three things—peace, kill, and sword? Some possibilities.
B1 satan
B2 God who allows these things as judgment.
B3 So, I believe satan is the initiator and motivator, but God allows these things. The giver himself is never mentioned. I believe satan gives the crown to his masterpiece—the antiChrist. Compare (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 and Revelation 13:2-4). God is allowing this evil, because of His wrath. His anger is because of the rise of sin (Romans 1:18-32, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 1 Timothy 4:1-5).
We learn:
B1 God hates sin and punishes sinners.
B2 All the sorrows from these judgments are in part for people to understand God hates sin, judges sin, and the need to repent and believe the Gospel.