Jesus Christ gave an overview of end-time prophecy shortly before His crucifixion, describing the major events occurring before the end of this age which are recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 and apply to us today. This description corresponds exactly with the seals of the book of Revelation.
First seal: Revelation 6:2 (corresponding to Matthew 24:4-5) tells of the spread of false Christianity, which began shortly after Jesus’ resurrection and the founding of the New Testament Church. This false Christianity is a religious mixture derived partly from the Bible and partly from non biblical beliefs and traditions originating in ancient pagan religions.
A number of New Testament writers spoke of this counterfeit Christianity (2 Corinthians 13-15; Jude 3-4; 1 John 2:18-19; 4:1), which the Apostle Paul labeled “the mystery of lawlessness.” It will play a major role in end-time deception leading up to Christ’s return.
Second seal: Revelation 6:3-4 and Matthew 24:6-7 tell of “wars and rumors of wars.” There have always been wars and rumors of wars and Jesus said they would continue until His return, escalating into a final bloodbath, taking the lives of no less than a third of mankind (Revelation 9:15-16).
Third seal: Revelation 6:5-6 and Matthew 24:7 show the earth will be plagued with major famines. There have always been famines, but as time goes on they will grow worse. Famines often follow hard on the heels of war.
Fourth seal: Revelation 6:7-8 and Matthew 24:7 reveal the world will be plagued by deadly diseases and terrible disasters. Widespread pandemics will decimate large populations, as the bubonic plague did in the 14th century, when it killed a third of the population of Europe, Russia, China, and cities on associated trade routes.
Fifth seal: Revelation 6:9-11 and Matthew 24:9-12 tell of great persecution and the martyrdom of God’s faithful servants. As Jesus Himself said, “A servant is not greater than his master, if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Paul similarly wrote, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
This increased persecution of faithful Christians introduces the time of the Great Tribulation. Other passages reveal that the intensifying persecution will extend to not just Christians, but to the physical descendants of ancient Israel. (See our free booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy).
Sixth seal: Revelation 6:12-17 and Matthew 24:29 describe terrifying signs in the sky—the sun and the moon darkened—and what appears to be a meteor striking the earth. These events introduce the time of God’s wrath (Revelation 16:1; 19:15), which Scripture calls “the day of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 5:2; Malachi 4:5), and leads directly into Jesus Christ’s climactic second coming.
The seventh seal: is divided into seven “trumpets,” which describe further events leading up to Jesus Christ’s return. These events, which are not described in the Olivet Prophecy, are sometimes referred to as “the seven trumpet plagues.” Revelation 8 and 9 describe the events to occur during the first six trumpets.
