Fourth Seal Period AD 235 – 303.

6:7-11 Greek word translated ‘pale’ is ‘chlorotic.’

Green as tint of paleness - characteristic of approaching death yet to afflict pagan Roman horse.

For fifty years following death of Alexander Severus - disaster and crisis.

Thirty-nine emperors - all but four died of assassination.

Word ‘hell’ = ‘hades’ means the ‘grave’.

‘The Earth’ in Revelation.

6:8 Inhabitants of Roman empire often referred to as ‘the earth’ in Revelation.

Leading fourth part with headquarters at Rome was Italy.

Events of fourth seal specially affect this area.

Historian Herodian appropriately describes this period.

The Historian Herodian.

“After reducing most of the notable houses to poverty and finding the income obtained thereby small and insufficient for his purpose, Maximinus began to lay hands on the public treasures.”

A Chaotic Arena.

Disorganisation, anarchy, insurrection, famine, pestilence and death.

Many towns depopulated. Gibbon declares that no less than

half the human race died: “the animating health and vigour of the Empire were fled.”

Diocletian AD 284.

Diocletian became Emperor - began to restore fortunes of the empire.

Appointed co-emperor - Maximian AD 286 to rule western provinces.

AD 293 appointed two heirs-apparent with title of Caesar.

Four-way geographical split confirmed - Diocletian retained supremacy.

Fifth Seal Period AD 303 – 311. Sporadic persecutions of believers took

place - but in general were unaffected by turmoil of the State.

Eusebius says: “Through too much liberty the Christians grew negligent and slothful, envying and reproaching one another - waging, as it were, civil war among themselves ...”

The Ecclesia no longer united - heresy rife.

Persecution of Believers. Diocletian continued reorganisation -

became convinced by Galerius that Christians at root of problems of empire.

Issued Imperial Edict - secret assemblies for worship, possessing the scriptures, refusing Paganism - any such to die.

AD 303 - prison, torture, death for faithful. Christians renouncing beliefs - called “The

Lapsed”

Background of Persecution.

6:9 Fifth seal - against background of persecution.

“I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain…”

The soul or life of the flesh is in the blood. Under Moses’ Law blood of the animal was poured out at base of the altar, ie under the altar.

Altar itself is symbol of Christ (Heb 13:10).

The Last Day. “And this is the Father’s will which

hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:39).

This is when God will reply to the cry.

Dead Saints. A dead saint, especially one put to

death for his faith, is “under the altar”, written in the book of life, in Christ’s safe keeping, for resurrection and vindication at the appointed time.

Meanwhile they are asleep in the dust of the earth’ - at rest for a little season.

How can dead saints cry with loud voice? “Thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” (Gen.4:10) .

Reward in Prospect 6:11 “And white robes were given

unto every one of them...” Those enduring suffering, prospect as

for those faithful in Sardis is, - “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” (3:4)

During persecution, catacombs of Rome used as secret havens for meeting places.

Christian Symbols in the Roman Catacombs

Anchor of the soul The Good Shepherd

The Dove of the Spirit The Fish

The Forum Rome