The Six Seals

Then I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a voice like thunder, "Come forward."

NAB footnote:The breaking of the first four seals releases four horsemen, modeled on Zechariah 1:8; 6:1-8, who symbolize the woes that are the prelude to the end of the age.

I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories.

When he broke open the second seal, I heard the second living creature cry out, "Come forward."

Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And he was given a huge sword.

NAB footnote:Red horse: symbol of war and bloodshed.

When he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature cry out, "Come forward." I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand.

NAB footnote:Black horse: symbol of famine. Scale: used to weigh out scarce food.

I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures. It said, "A ration of wheat costs a day's pay, and three rations of barley cost a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil or the wine."

When he broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature cry out, "Come forward."

I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades accompanied him. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and plague, and by means of the beasts of the earth.

NAB footnote:Pale green horse: the color of a corpse. Death and Hades: personifications of death and the underworld.

When he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God.

NAB footnote:Underneath the altar: in Jewish thought, the souls of the dead were kept under the heavenly altar. Those who had been slaughtered: the Christian martyrs.

They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?"

Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been.

Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as dark sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood.

NAB footnote:Earthquake, darkened sun, blood-red moon: these cosmic signs are traditional symbols of the Day of the Lord; cf Joel 3:3-4; Isaiah 13:10; 34:4; Ezekiel 32:7-8.

The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind.

Then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

The kings of the earth, the nobles, the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags.

NAB footnote:The listing of various ranks of society represents the universality of terror at the impending doom.

Saul's insight:"Kings of the earth" = kingship of all men who are in Christ. That is, those who receive the hidden manna, which is the Eucharist.

They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,"

because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?