The Seals of Revelation through the Eyes of Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and Others

The Seals of Revelation through the Eyes of Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and Others

This article is a study guide that compiles Bible verses across Revelation, Daniel 11-12, the Gospels, and Paul’s letters to synthesize a more complete account of the seal events in Revelation 6.

First seal: White horse – Conquering through influence

Daniel account:

A king rises without open war using flattery, deception, alliances, and smooth words.

This is conquest without arrows — victory through influence

Jesus’ account:

False prophets, false Christs, religious and political deception, rumors, fake news

Second seal: Red horse – Peace taken & War

Daniel account:

Great armies being mobilized and flooding through the surrounding countries.

Betrayals during peace agreements and widespread war.

Jesus’ account:

Nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom.

Third & Fourth seals: Black & Pale horses – Famine, scarcity, sword, famine, pestilence

Daniel account:

More war and the effects of war upon the world: cities being sieged, plundering, looting, confiscating people’s property, oppression of the population; and dead bodies from war could cause diseases.

Jesus’ account:

Famines, earthquakes, and plagues.

Fifth seal: Martyrs & Persecution

5th Seal: Daniel account

Those at one’s own table speaking lies and betraying one another.

Persecution against the people of the holy covenant.

Lawlessness increasing because the king convinces people to forsake the covenant.

Abomination of desolation (11:31).

Some will rise to take action against the king, while others will die another way (11:32-33; Rev 13:10).

Martyrdom by the sword, by flame, and into captivity.

Possessions being stolen.

Having insincere people join your group to take advantage of you or to root you out.

“A time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time” (12:1).

“He [the lawless one] will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done” (11:36).

The refining of the faithful through suffering (11:35; 12:10).

Persevering until the end (12:12).

5th Seal: Jesus’ account

Jerusalem surrounded by armies

Abomination of desolation

“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will” (Mt 24:21).

“these are the days of vengeance” (Lk 21:22).

“for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people” (Lk 21:23).

Being delivered over to tribulation, being killed, and hated by all.

Being flogged and imprisoned

Many falling away, betraying one another, and killing one’s own families

Lawlessness increasing, and people’s love growing cold.

Persevering until the end.

5th Seal: Paul’s account

Apostasy must come first, and the man of lawlessness must be revealed first before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 2:3). This son of destruction “opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (v. 4). He will come with all power, signs, false wonders, and deception, convincing people to follow after wickedness and belief what is false (v. 9-10)

“It [Christ’s coming and the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first” (v. 3), “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (v. 7).

The one who restrains him (the spirit of the antichrist and of lawlessness) will continue to restrain until the appointed time when he should be revealed (v. 6).

Notes on the tribulation:

As Jesus said, everything before the abomination of desolation is all just the beginning of the birth pains. And Paul would add: “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God” (Ro 8:19).

Luke phrased it: “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately” (Lk 21:9).

The birth pains begin small and then they work their way up until the coming of the Son of Man and until the sons of God are revealed in glory (Ro 8:22).

“I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 1:9).

“they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Lk 21:24).

“And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.’ 27 This expression, ‘Yet once more,’ denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Heb 12:26-27).

What John and Jesus call “tribulation,” Daniel calls “a time of distress” (Dan 12:1).

I believe that we are in the tribulation now in our present day, just as John was in the tribulation in his present day. The tribulation is the birth pains of the earth and the wrath of mankind, which are all characterized by seals 1-6. I have not seen any convincing evidence to conclude that these seals must take place in a specific order or at specific times, as these trying times of tribulation have occurred all throughout history and they repeat themselves. When Jesus spoke of them in the gospels, they seemed to be randomized events. However, He did communicate them in ascending order of severity (birth pains).

Sixth seal: Terror of the supernatural, celestial, and Son of Man

6th Seal: Revelation account

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen” (Rev 1:7).

Great earthquake, sun darkened, moon turns to blood, stars of the sky falling to the earth like unripe figs, sky split apart like a scroll, mountains and islands moved out of their places.

Kings and commanders, the rich and strong – hiding themselves from the wrath of the Father (Him who sits on the throne) and of the Son of Man’s (the Lamb) wrath.

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, ‘Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.’” (Rev 7:1-3).

The sealing of the 144,000 from every tribe of the sons of Israel (7:4-8).

A great multitude in heaven standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white, from every nation, tribe, language and people group (7:9-17). “Where have they come from?” (v. 13), “these are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation” (v. 14), “they will hunger no longer […] and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (v. 16-17).

6th Seal: Daniel account

Michael the archangel will arise to come to the aid of God’s people, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise” (12:1). (compare with Zech 12:8).

It will be a time of great distress such as there has never been since there was a nation until that time.

“At that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued” (12:1).

Read Zechariah 12; Revelation 1:7; Daniel 12:1; and Revelation 7:1-18 altogether to have more understanding on the 144,000.

The man of lawlessness “will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him” (11:45).

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt” (12:2).

“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (12:3).

“How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” (12:6), “it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed” (12:7).

“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age” (12:13).

6th Seal: Jesus’ account

“What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Mt 24:3).

Visible and obvious return of Jesus which comes after false Christs with false signs (Mt 24:22-28; Mk 13:20-23).

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give it’s light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Mt 24:29).

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened…” (Mk 13:24).

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Mt 24:30).

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mk 13:26).

“There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Lk 21:25-26).

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk 21:28).

“And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other” (Mt 24:31).

“from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven” (Mk 13:27).

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Mt 24:32-33).

“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Mk 13:29).

“Then He told them a parable: ‘Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near’” (Lk 21:24).

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left” (Mt 25:31-33).

“all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk 21:36).

Connecting all these together, we know that at least one of the angels that will be gathering together the elect will be Michael. This gathering together of the elect is the resurrection of the dead and rapture event. It’s the harvest of the wheat and the tares, of the righteous and the unrighteous. This rescuing event that Daniel speaks of is the rapture and resurrection of the dead, along with physical deliverance from armies that surround Jerusalem. Notice in Zechariah 12 it has all these elements: Jerusalem surrounded by armies, physical and supernatural deliverance from those armies, God destroying all the nations that come against Jerusalem, then they will look upon Him whom they have pierced (cf. Rev 1:7). Daniel 12:1 goes right along with this, as he rises to the aid of Daniel’s people.

6th Seal: Paul’s Account on the Coming of the Lord

“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Col 3:4).

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess 2:19).

“and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” (1 Thess 3:12-13).

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess 4:13-18).

“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief […] For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess 5:1-4, 9).

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess 5:23).

“For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thess 1:6-10).

“With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him [..and..] the day of the Lord” (2 Thess 2:1-2).

When the time comes, he who restrains the lawless one (the Antichrist) will do so no longer, and then that lawless one will be revealed (at the abomination of desolation). Then the Lord will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of His coming (2 Thess 2:8).

“For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall give praise to God.”
12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Ro 14:9-12; cf. 2 Cor 5:9-11; Phil 2:9-11).

“But do you suppose this, O man, […] that you will escape the judgment of God?” “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.” (Ro 2:3, 5-6; cf. Eph 5:6; Col 3:5).

“so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 1:7-8).

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits [His resurrection in 32 AD], after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Cor 15:22-26).

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Cor 15:51-52).

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14).

“keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Tim 6:14-15).

Other New Testament Accounts of the Coming of the Lord

“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11).

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Heb 9:27-28).

“so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet 1:7).

“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2 Pet 3:3-7).

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Pet 3:10-13).

“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (1 Jn 2:28).

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1 Jn 3:2).

For Old Testament References concerning the last days, see Dan 12; Joel 2; Zech 12, 14; Mal 4; Jer 30; Ezek 37-39; Isa 2-3; ;11; 24-27; 63:1-6; 65:17-25; 66:18-24

Quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB-1995) by The Lockman Foundation.