Chuck Smith: The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 6

In this teaching, Pastor Chuck Smith walks through Revelation chapter 6, where the opening of the seals reveals a sobering picture of the end times. He explains the rise of the Antichrist, global conflict, famine, martyrdom, and cataclysmic judgments that will shake the earth. Yet, alongside these warnings, he highlights the stark contrast between the destinies of believers and unbelievers—those who follow Christ and those who reject Him. Pastor Chuck calls listeners to place their faith in Jesus, renounce darkness, and be prepared for His soon return, embracing the hope and promise found only in Him.

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 6

God’s Will for the Church

Let’s turn now and talk about what God is going to do. We find it here in Revelation 6.

People often wonder, “What does the future hold?” We usually think in terms of our own personal experience. Beginning in Revelation 4, we enter future events. But there’s a vast difference in that future—one entirely related to your relationship with Jesus Christ. For believers, there is a glorious future ahead. For unbelievers, there is real trouble—big trouble.

Last Sunday night in Revelation 5, we looked at the believer’s future in heaven. Tonight, we return to earth to consider what happens after the Lord takes His church out—the events that unfold here once the church is gone.

The Scroll and the Worthy One

In the heavenly scene of chapter 5, John saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat upon the throne—the Father. The scroll was sealed with seven seals. A strong angel proclaimed, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” John began to weep, because no one was found worthy.

As we explained, the scroll is the title deed to the earth. If no one could redeem it, the world would remain forever under Satan’s control. That thought was more than John could bear.

But an elder said, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seals.” Heaven erupted in worship—the cherubim, the redeemed church, myriads of angels, and all creation praising the Lord.

Now Jesus holds the scroll with seven seals. In chapter 6 He begins to break the seals, and with each seal comes a corresponding event on the earth.

The First Seal: The Rider on a White Horse (Revelation 6:1–2)

“I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures saying, ‘Come.’ And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering and to conquer.”

The moment the church is taken out, the restraining force against evil is removed (cf. 2 Thess. 2). The world will plunge into its darkest hour. A man will arise—called by many names in Scripture: commonly the Antichrist (though that title is used least), “the beast” (Revelation 13), and “the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2). He will be a global dictator.

He will arise out of Western Europe, the revived form of the Roman Empire—a federation much like today’s European community and NATO’s evolving military posture. Initially he will look like a man of peace and economic genius, brokering treaties and calming conflicts. The world will hail him as a savior; even many Jews will accept him. Empowered by Satan, he will receive global allegiance because Satan desires worship and will get it through this man.

After three and a half years, he will enter the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, stand in the Holy of Holies, declare himself to be God, and demand worship. Daniel calls this the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15). This act crosses the last line; God’s judgments then begin to pour out upon the earth.

The Second Seal: War (Revelation 6:3–4)

“Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”

Global war erupts. The Antichrist-led Western powers will ultimately face the kings of the East (cf. Revelation 16:12). The final campaigns converge in the Valley of Megiddo (near modern Haifa)—the stage for the great slaughter described later (Revelation 19). With modern weapons—nuclear, biological, chemical—the devastation will be unimaginable.

The Third Seal: Famine (Revelation 6:5–6)

“Behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard… ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’”

War breeds famine. Food will be so scarce that a day’s wage will buy only a quart of wheat—bare subsistence. The rich (“oil and wine”) may cushion the blow, but the poor will suffer terribly. This will be global famine like the world has never known.

The Fourth Seal: Death (Revelation 6:7–8)

“Behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given… over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”

Through the first four seals, a quarter of the earth’s population will die. If, for example, the population were four billion at the start, one billion would perish during these opening judgments alone. Once the church is removed and God begins to judge a Christ-rejecting world, the horror will be beyond anything imaginable.

The Fifth Seal: Martyrs Cry Out (Revelation 6:9–11)

“I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held… and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until… their fellow servants… who would be killed… was completed.”

Here we see tribulation martyrs—people who realize, after the rapture, what has taken place. Many who had sat on the fence will know they missed the Lord’s coming for His church. They will refuse the Antichrist’s mark (Revelation 13)—without which no one can buy or sell—and they will be executed for their testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 14 shows God sending an angelic warning not to take the mark. Those who do take it will seal their eternal fate. Those who refuse, though martyred, will ultimately join the redeemed in heaven. It’s a hard way, but still a merciful door.

There are mysteries here. Some argue that those who reject Christ now will not have opportunity later (appealing to 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12). I do not personally hold that view dogmatically—but don’t gamble your soul on a “maybe.” Settle it now.

The Sixth Seal: Cosmic and Global Catastrophe (Revelation 6:12–17)

“There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth… Then the sky receded as a scroll… and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”

This is a worldwide upheaval—far beyond a localized fault line. Isaiah foretold the heavens rolling up like a scroll and the earth being moved out of its place (Isaiah 13:9–13; 34:4). Scientists speak of potential asteroid impacts and even periodic polar axis shifts that could reconfigure the earth’s surface. Scripture’s picture is of unmatched seismic, atmospheric, and astronomical disturbance—the great day of God’s wrath.

“The kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man… said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb… for the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”

“The wrath of the Lamb” sounds paradoxical, but the Lamb who was slain is also the righteous Judge. God’s wrath is kindled by the horrific effects of evil on the innocent. In that day there will be no safe place—no bunker, no hideout. The only escape is before it happens: in Christ, caught up with His church.

Urgency and Assurance

Some are preparing to survive calamity with stockpiles and remote refuges. But Scripture is plain: there is no survival plan for the wrath of God except Jesus Christ. He is the ark. He bore our judgment at the cross so we might be saved from the wrath to come.

Believer, don’t live under question marks—“hope so,” “maybe so.” Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. Be ready. If Jesus came for His church tonight, do you know you would go? You can know.

Closing Prayer and Invitation

Father, we see the precursors of these events forming even now. Systems ready, alignments in place—just as You said. Keep us from the works of darkness. Lead us to walk in newness of life, in fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you’re unsure of your standing with the Lord, don’t leave it there. Settle it now. Commit your life fully to Jesus, walk after the Spirit, and be ready for His coming.

May the Lord be with you, watch over you, and empower you by His Spirit to be a faithful witness in a world on the brink.