Table of Contents
Matthew 24 Explains the 7 Seals of Revelation
The 7 seals of Revelation chapters 6 and 8 provide a wide view lens of the end of this age. They guide us with an overall perspective to track a course through the complex chapters of Revelation.
Revelation is not chronological; however, the 7 seals are consecutive with their timing. They are uniquely parallel to Christ’s famous age ending prophecies found in Matthew 24.
Click here to download a side-by-side comparison table of Revelation chapters 6 and 8 as they correlate to passages in Matthew 24. This overview helps us understand the beginning of end-time trials, then through the Great Tribulation Period, which Christ states in Matthew 24 verse 21 as the worst era of earth’s history.
The First Seal
The first seal is opened by Christ to allow a rider, depicted on a white horse, to conquer the earth. This parallels Matthew 24 verse 5 regarding false messiahs. Messiahs can be religious or political saviors, but these end time false messiahs are part of a complete world system. They will convince governments and religions to join the “beast”. This is the preparation phase, the beginning of the end.
The Second Seal
The second seal begins end-time wars with reports, then escalation. It follows along with Matthew 24 verses 6 and 7.
The Third Seal
The third seal is about famines coinciding with Matthew 24 verse 7.
The Fourth Seal
The fourth seal results in deaths from the wars and famines mentioned in Matthew 24:7-8. By the time the fourth seal is completed, it will look like the end of the world. The world will be ready for its savior.
The Abomination of Desolation occurs at the time of the fifth seal, as inferred by following the parallel text in Matthew 24:15-27. This is the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week when the devil claims to be the true god through the person of the anti-christ.
The Fifth Seal
The fifth seal begins the Great Tribulation Period. The Church, as all Israel, will go through this awful time. The details are stated in Mathew 24:9, Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 20:4-6. Martyrdom, and believers entering captivity, are results of the anti-christ’s war with the saints mentioned in Daniel 7:21-26 and Revelation 13:5-10. Not all believers will be persecuted. Some will be divinely protected by God as they are depicted on “eagle’s wings” (Revelation 12:14).
The Sixth Seal
The sixth seal begins the Day of the Lord after the anti-christ exalts himself above all gods and proclaims to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
Matthew 24:29-30 and Revelation 6:12-17 also parallel Joel 3:9-16, Isaiah 2:12-22 and Isaiah 34:4 with the same Day of the Lord signs.
The Seventh Seal
The seventh seal closes out the age we live in with Christ emerging from behind the veil of the heavenly realm to begin His physical reign on earth. Matthew 24:30-31 occurs at the timing of the seventh seal when there is silence in Heaven (Revelation 8:1). All remaining prayers are answered at this time (Revelation 8:3-5) with God’s wrath being completed at the climax of the Day of the Lord. This occurs at the end of time, just before the merger of Heaven and earth (Ephesians 1:9-10). The seventh seal begins the process of the second coming and the rapture. This is the resurrection of the dead and the beginning of the next age (1 Corinthians 15:22-26). Believers are transformed with the resurrected saints as the seventh trumpet and seventh bowl complete God’s wrath. It is the start of the invisible realm being revealed on the newly restored earth where Christ will dwell after He cleanses it (2 Peter 3:12-13).
Timeline of Events in Revelation
The 7 seals as they relate to the bowls can be found in this timeline video in our videos section or on YouTube.
